EasyJet celebrates five years at Southend Airport
Above: (left to right) Angie Page, Neil Slaven, Gareth Wynn, James Duddridge, MP, Cooper Page Martin, Darcy Page, Glyn Jones, Jan Gurr, Chris Foster, Aaron Byrne and Lindsey Mann.
Since its launch at Southend in April 2012, easyJet has flown over four million passengers on over 32,000 flights, and now flies to 15 popular city and holiday destinations across Europe, with the most popular being Amsterdam, Alicante, Faro and Malaga.
To mark the anniversary easyJet invited two local children, who are also celebrating their fifth birthdays this year, to dress up as easyJet pilots and have a tour of an easyJet aircraft and cockpit. Darcy Page and Cooper Page Martin are cousins from Rochford in Essex and the Grandchildren of easyJet crew member Angela Page.
To celebrate the milestone further, easyJet rewarded one lucky traveller with a pair of return flights.
Also, joining the celebrations was James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East.
Neil Slaven, easyJet’s UK Commercial Manager, commented: "We’re delighted to be celebrating out fifth year at London Southend Airport. Since we launched our first flight from Southend to Belfast five years ago, we’ve flown over four million passengers and have almost doubled the amount of destinations we now operate from the airport. We’ve made travelling easy for the people of Southend and the surrounding areas across Essex and East London with affordable flights to 15 destinations across Europe.
“We’re fully committed to London Southend Airport and have demonstrated this by investing heavily in new destinations. We’re keen to continue adding more varied routes to our schedule. Ultimately our long-term aim at London Southend Airport is simple; to continue to provide a fantastic passenger experience with low fares whilst opening up new markets to both our leisure and business travellers."
During its five years of operation, Southend has become known for its speed and convenience - once inside passengers can pass through security in less than 10 minutes and be at their gate within 15. Passengers travelling on easyjet flights from Southend enjoy easy access from London. It takes 53 minutes by train from Liverpool Street Station and only 44 minutes from Stratford, with the trains drawing up just outside the terminal making it extremely convenient. Drivers can also park next door to the terminal.
Glyn Jones, London Southend Airport’s CEO, said: “It has been an excellent five years working in partnership with easyJet, providing a fantastic mix of both leisure and business destinations to passengers from Essex and the South East. With superb access, including our own station with trains to and from London in 44 minutes and unique customer service, it's no surprise that more and more people are choosing London Southend. Our ambition is to make London Southend the capital’s next big airport and that is very much aligned with easyJet’s plans to expand and grow, so we are all very much looking forward to the next successful five years of our partnership.”
James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: "I was pleased to be able to come and celebrate easyJet's fifth anniversary at the airport today. The expansion of the airport is the best thing to have happened locally in many years. I have always been a firm supporter of the airport and I am delighted that the airport is going from strength to strength.
“I am looking forward to watching the airport continue to grow and I'm excited to see additional destinations being in operation. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the team, both past and present, for ensuring we have the best airport in the U.K. on our doorstep."
