What’s On The Horizon For: London Southend Airport

Attending Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, London Southend Airport told Routes about its recent route successes and key markets for sustained growth.

London Southend Airport (SEN) is eyeing further growth as it continues to establish itself as a player in London's competitive aviation market.

The airport is positioning itself as an alternative choice for both passengers and airlines, emphasizing its growing catchment area of 8.2 million people. It currently offers direct flights to 17 destinations across Europe and Africa, and the airport is set for continued expansion in 2025 following a strong summer season.

A major milestone for SEN is the announcement that easyJet will open its 10th UK base at the airport in March 2025. The base will initially feature three Airbus A320neo aircraft, supporting the launch of six new routes to popular destinations such as Pisa, Italy; Gran Canaria, Spain; Dalaman and Antalya, Turkey; Marrakech, Morocco; and Enfidha in Tunisia. These new routes will complement easyJet's existing offerings from SEN, which include flights to Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Paris, and Amsterdam.

In addition to easyJet's expansion, tour operator Balkan Holidays introduced a summer service to Bourgas, Bulgaria, operating once a week until Sept. 1.

Nigel Mayes, business development director at London Southend Airport, emphasized that SEN’s key markets are focused on winter and summer sun destinations, saying the wealth of new routes supports this strategy, Mayes added that the airport also aims to expand its network to include winter ski destinations and city break markets.

Reflecting on the airport's participation at Routes Europe 2024, Mayes noted the value of the event: “Where else can we see 100 airlines in such a short space of time? Routes Europe has been a huge success for us, and everyone is loving our stand, which helps us show people where we are geographically.”