London Southend Airport has been restablishing its presence in the London airport market over the last few years, and this is beginning to extend to business aviation with the facility reporting a 25% increase year-on-year in related traffic.
During the 1960s, the airport was London’s third busiest, but went into decline as passengers moved elsewhere. Under new ownership since 2008, it has started to redefine itself, with a new terminal, train station, control tower and extended runway. EasyJet began operating from London Southend in 2012, with commercial aviation passenger numbers topping 1 million in 2013.
Incentives for business aviation customers include a 55-minute car journey from the airport to The City, London’s financial district, with no slot restrictions, short taxi times, plus ramp access for road vehicles so passengers can be straight off the plane and into a waiting car. It is also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with more affordable parking and handling than many London airports.
Hannah Lo Bao, head of business aviation, London Southend Airport, said, “We offer private jet passengers a number of unique advantages that other London airports cannot compete with, and that is why more people are choosing us.”
