EasyJet is opening its 10th UK base with three 186-seat A320neo aircraft assigned to Southend in time for summer 2025.
The base will open next March with six new routes to Pisa, Gran Canaria, Dalaman, Antalya, Marrakech and Enfidha.
The announcement, made alongside the airline’s half year results, is confirmation of the airport’s popularity with the airline which has operated an aircraft there since 2012.
In the past 12 years, the airline has flown more than seven million customers to destinations including Amsterdam, Geneva, Faro, Palma, Malaga and Paris.
EasyJet Holidays packages departing Southend will go on sale on Friday (17 May) with departure dates from 1 May 2025, while flights will go on sale over the coming months.
Outgoing easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “We are delighted to be announcing another three-aircraft base in the UK at Southend.
“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.”
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