Southend Airport Traffic Surges and Secures Industry Award
London Southend Airport has emerged from the pandemic with remarkable resilience, recording a 250 percent increase in passenger traffic in 2024 compared to the previous year. The airport welcomed 288,000 travelers in 2024, a sharp rise from 82,000 in 2023, driven by its personal approach to airline partnerships and imaginative marketing initiatives. With the runway extended and a modern terminal accommodating up to three million passengers annually, Southend has steadily carved out a niche as a compelling alternative to London’s larger airports.
A defining achievement was the reinstatement of three based aircraft by easyJet, a move that is expected to lift annual passenger numbers to around 750,000. For the summer 2025 schedule, easyJet will operate flights to 20 destinations from Southend, spanning popular beach and city break locations. The carrier has also announced winter services to Barcelona and Lanzarote in Spain, as well as Salzburg in Austria, further enhancing the airport’s year-round appeal. Chief among Southend’s strengths is its ability to offer short check-in times and seamless transfers, ensuring that even seasonal routes deliver an efficient traveler experience.
Beyond leisure markets, Southend’s leadership is keen to attract regional carriers to serve underserved domestic and nearby European cities. “There are so many markets and cities that want access to London all within a 700-kilometer range of this airport,” said Nigel Mayes, the airport’s business development director. “We want to access those markets, and a regional carrier with a based aircraft would be perfect to serve these.” By focusing on value-driven partnerships and keeping operational costs transparent, Southend aims to offer airlines a competitive base without the complexity of larger hub operations.
Southend’s dynamic route development strategy and close collaboration with airlines earned the airport the Under 5 Million Passenger award at the Routes Awards during Routes Europe 2025 in Seville. The accolade recognizes airports that demonstrate exceptional growth and innovative collaboration in the sub-five-million segment. “It means an enormous amount for the team here at London Southend Airport,” Mayes said. “We work really hard with our airline partners, and we’re very creative with what we do. I’m hoping that the award is recognition of how we work with our airlines and the way we keep our cost base low for our carriers.”
At Routes Europe 2025, Southend took full advantage of networking opportunities, conducting over 40 airline meetings in three days. The airport’s stand, featuring a playful superhero theme, highlighted its commitment to supporting carriers with flexible slot availability, marketing support and community engagement. Mayes noted that the intimate yet influential setting of Routes Europe allowed Southend’s team to forge new relationships and deepen existing discussions.
Southend Airport plans to expand its route portfolio by targeting additional sun-soaked shores and cultural city breaks, while continuing to build on its existing domestic and European services. As travel demand evolves, the airport’s focus on agility, low-cost operations and passenger satisfaction positions it to capture a growing share of the short-haul market. With easyJet’s expanded network, winter ski routes and potential regional partnerships on the horizon, London Southend Airport is set to transform from a niche gateway into a vibrant hub for leisure and regional travel alike.
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