London Southend Eyes Additional Based Aircraft, Domestic Routes

RIMINI, Italy—London Southend Airport (SEN) is seeking to build on a sharp recovery in passenger traffic by targeting further based aircraft, expanding winter operations and positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative to larger London airports.

The airport, which has been boosted by easyJet’s decision to base three Airbus A320-family aircraft at the airport from March 2025, handled 720,000 passengers in 2025, an increase of 150% year-on-year.

Business Development Director Nigel Mayes tells Aviation Week that attention is now shifting toward securing additional based aircraft, attracting new carriers and developing underserved European and domestic markets. “We’re probably turning towards summer 2027 now, looking at both new carriers and additional based aircraft,” he says.

Recent additions include easyJet routes to Jersey, Ibiza, Munich and Budapest, with the latter scheduled for the winter 2026-27 season as the airline works to improve year-round aircraft utilization.

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Mayes says ski routes and Central and Eastern European markets represent particular opportunities as the airport looks to diversify beyond traditional summer leisure demand. He added that SEN’s operational profile—short taxi times, fast passenger processing and uncongested airspace—has become increasingly important in airline discussions.

“We’re now number one in London for on-time performance,” Mayes adds, saying that around 80% of flights arrive within 15 minutes of schedule. The airport is also not slot constrained and has early morning departure availability, which Mayes argues allows airlines to maximize aircraft utilization.

SEN is also examining opportunities in the UK domestic market, targeting government-supported public service obligation (PSO) routes.

“There are a number of PSO routes that are coming up and it would be great if London Southend is seen as a possible access point into London,” Mayes says. He adds that lower airport charges could make certain domestic routes more commercially viable than at competing London gateways, particularly for regional operators facing rising costs.