Airport plans 1m passenger growth

Airport managers want to see flights attracting 1m passengers a year

Southend Airport could attract more than 1m passengers and 1,000 new jobs over the next 10 years, a master plan has revealed.

Managers want to expand flights in the coming two to three years to other parts of the UK and European cities.

Destinations could include Edinburgh, Dublin, Barcelona, Rome and Alicante.

By 2015, Southend could be handling as many as 40 passenger flights a day in 75-80 seater planes according to a draft plan presented for consultation.

Low-cost carrier Flybe is due to start services to Jersey out of Southend next month and plans for a new terminal and rail station have already been approved.

The government has already said it would support expansion at Southend subject to relevant environmental considerations.

Airport director Bruce Campbell said: "We are not talking about 'open-ended' growth or becoming another Stansted.

"The airport is willing to operate under strict environmental controls and abide by an agreed overall operating limit."