Away from the town centre, the other big focus is the future development of London Southend Airport. The Airport is a long-established regional airport for South East Essex and is the Eastern Gateway to London. A new airport railway system providing fast and frequent train services direct to Stratford (for Docklands and Canary Wharf) and to central London’s Liverpool Street Station will provide passengers with faster door-to-door times to London than other London airports - and at lower costs.
The airport is a major asset for the Thames Gateway Initiative and enjoys positive support from the community and local authorities. The target is for the introduction of improved scheduled passenger services to European destinations.
Southend Airport is “home base” to a wide range of business supporting more than 1300 jobs. In recent months both Southend Borough Council and Rochford District Council have worked closely to help plan for further development and investment in another new business park at the airport.
Phase 1 of the multi-million scheme – including a new control tower, and a high-quality hotel - are being developed to extend the range of passenger services facilitated by the new airport-rail link. The phase 1 projects are due for completion in 2009.
The airport's ambition to grow passenger flights chimes with Government aims outlined in the White Paper on airport development and the Thames Gateway development strategy. The airport will have a key supporting role to play in the 2012 London Olympics, for which it is well placed.
Visit the London Southend Airport website »
