Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Southend Airport celebrates start of new routes

Aerospace

Southend Airport celebrates start of new routes

London Southend Airport today celebrated the start of new routes to Dublin, Manchester and Glasgow, with those arriving and departing on the very first flights to each destination being greeted - or sent off - with a water arch salute from the Southend Airport Fire Service.

Legendary Manchester band Oasis, Glasgow’s iconic SEC Armadillo and Dublin Bay (complete with cliffs, beach and waves) are just some of the highlights of

Also, a monumental cake was shared with passengers, featuring Manchester band Oasis, Glasgow’s iconic SEC Armadillo and Dublin Bay (complete with cliffs, beach and waves), as travellers and staff gathered to toast the beginning of flights to Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin, which are all operated through Stobart Air’s franchise partnership with Flybe.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Flights to the Irish capital will operate up to three times daily. The route to the UK’s 2013 ‘Capital of Culture’ – Manchester – will also fly up to three times daily and to Scotland’s largest city – Glasgow – up to twice daily Sunday-Friday.

The enormous, three-tiered cake was designed to incorporate iconic locations, characters and themes from all three destinations – so the various layers included representations of the Glasgow Tower, Clyde Arch, Scottish flag, Lancaster Rose, a Manchester United shirt, Leprechauns, shamrocks and much more, including a turboprop aircraft. The confectionary creation, which has a salted caramel and chocolate base, with Victoria Sponge upper layers, was made by Bourgee Bites – Bar – Luxe Lounge and took two chefs a week to create.

It was also an opportunity to mark the start of new easyJet route to Mediterranean favourite Malta, which got underway on Sunday.

Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Aviation, owners of London Southend Airport said: “We have plenty of reasons to celebrate today, as these new routes mark yet another important development for us in an exciting year where we continue to grow and expand in order to be the very best airport possible for our customers.

Advertisement
ODU RT

"In the last 12 months we’ve opened a new World Duty Free, Bourgee and other shops, offering even more variety for our guests. We’ve added a number of new routes – with more still to come – and provided a time and cost-effective way for our passengers to connect to North America and Canada. Plus, we’ve launched a Private Jet Centre and also submitted plans to develop the terminal building.

“London Southend Airport is going from strength to strength and delivering on its promise of being a better way to travel - more comfort, faster access, fewer queues and a friendlier experience than larger airports in the South East.”

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
CAA publishes consultation on shortlist of Heathrow regulatory models for expansion

Aerospace

CAA publishes consultation on shortlist of Heathrow regulatory models for expansion

15 May 2026

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched a consultation on a shortlist of regulatory models that could apply to capacity expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Prof. Malcolm Macdonald assumes Presidency of RAeS

Aerospace

Prof. Malcolm Macdonald assumes Presidency of RAeS

14 May 2026

Professor Malcolm Macdonald FRAeS assumes the Presidency of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) - the oldest aeronautical society in the world and the only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community - taking up the post of President following the formal announcement at the Society’s AGM this month.

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell

Aerospace Events

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell's Spitfire-inspired sculpture

14 May 2026

Farnborough Airport has announced the installation of a striking aviation-inspired sculpture in partnership with The Sculpture Park, Farnham, which will be on display at the Airport from early May through to the beginning of August 2026.

NPAS gains funding for additional helicopters

Aerospace Security

NPAS gains funding for additional helicopters

14 May 2026

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has welcomed confirmation from the UK Minister of State for Policing and Crime that funding has been approved for two additional brand-new police helicopters to complement its National Fleet Replacement Programme (FRP).

Advertisement
ODU RT
K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

Aerospace

K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

13 May 2026

K3Metrology, a UK spin-out from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has secured a £2.75 million seed investment led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), to commercialise a new generation of large-scale measurement technology designed to improve efficiency and reduce delays in advanced manufacturing and aerospace.

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

Aerospace

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

13 May 2026

European airport trade body ACI EUROPE today released its traffic report for March and the first quarter of 2026.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner