Southend airport has been included by Iata within its classification of the metropolitan area of London.
This means the airport is now officially known as London Southend to the rest of the world.
The Civil Aviation Authority has always classed the Essex airport as ‘London,’ but historically Iata has not.
The formal Iata recognition means that whenever travellers want to fly to London they will be offered Southend as an option alongside the five other recognised London airports – Gatwick, Heathrow, City, Stansted and Luton.
The airport, acquired by Stobart Group in 2008, predicts passenger growth to two million passengers a year by 2020.
Airport managing director Alastair Welch said: “By offering London Southend alongside all the other London airports – especially at this key time when so many new customers are exploring ways of travelling to London for the Olympics – gives us further chances to demonstrate the great customer service and big benefits we can offer people over and above the other London airports, not only this summer, but also beyond.”
He added: “We look forward to even more people discovering our new light and airy terminal building less than 100 paces from our brand new railway station with up to eight trains per hour into the heart of London.
“Passengers flying out from London Southend will wait for a maximum of four-minutes for security, whilst those arriving with just hand luggage can expect to travel from plane to train within 15 minutes of their aircraft doors opening (30 minutes if collecting luggage).
“London Southend Airport is all about simplicity, speed and service – and even more people will get the option to experience it now.”