EasyJet is to return to Southend airport with six new routes for summer 2025.
Three 186-seat Airbus A320neo aircraft will be deployed at the Essex airport where the airline already serves six destinations but reduced its network during the pandemic.
Six new routes will be introduced from Southend to Pisa, Gran Canaria, Dalaman, Antalya, Marrakech and Enfidha in Tunisia.
EasyJet holidays packages from Southend will be on sale from tomorrow (Friday) with departures from May 1, 2025, meaning package holidays from the airport will be available seven days a week, with flights on sale in the coming months.
The expansion, following the creation of a base at Birmingham airport in March, will create around 130 jobs for pilots and crew and support other indirect roles.
Chief executive Johan Lundgren, who is to step down next year, said: “We are delighted to be announcing another three-aircraft base in the UK, at London Southend airport.
“This will create hundreds of jobs and provide more choice for consumers with new routes and package holidays.
“Our continued growth and investment in the UK highlights the importance of the market where this year we will operate more flying than ever before with our customers choosing our flights and holidays because of our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares.”
Southend airport chief executive John Upton said: “We’re thrilled to welcome an EasyJet base to London Southend, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs locally as well as convenient, new and returning connections to many popular leisure and city destinations.
“This move is indicative of the demand from people in the east of London, Essex and the wider East Anglia region who now have greater opportunities to choose to travel through our well connected, quick and easy airport.
“Our dedicated on-site rail station is less than one hour from central London; only 43 minutes from Stratford, London with connections to the Elizabeth Line; and only 100 paces from the terminal door.”