AIRPORT bosses are in ‘detailed discussions’ about the return of ‘successful’ flights between Jersey and London Southend.
EasyJet previously operated up to 12 flights a week between the Channel Islands and the airport, but these were axed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
Now, it has been reported that Southend Airport chief executive John Upton is in ‘detailed discussions’ with several airlines on potential routes, including a return to Jersey Airport.
Southend Airport’s business development director Nigel Mayes said there was a ‘clear, unclaimed opportunity in the east London market for an additional service to Jersey’.
Speaking to the Southend Echo, he said: ‘Reclaiming this well-known, successful route between London Southend and the Channel Islands is a clear pathway to profitable growth for airlines.’
Southend Airport offers a direct service to Liverpool Street in the centre of London, allowing travellers to reach the financial heart of the city in under an hour.
According to flight news website Simplify Flying, in 2019 more than 1.2 million passengers flew from London to Jersey, with over 12% departing from east London airports – namely Stansted, London City and Southend. The latter handled over 60,000 of these passengers across 12 weekly easyJet flights to the Channel Islands.
Other destinations recently made accessible direct from Jersey Airport include Amsterdam, where easyJet are currently offering flights twice a week.
