Southend Airport: London's Compact Aviation Hub

London Southend Airport is an international airport located 40 miles from Central London in Essex, England. The airport has a rich history, dating back to World War I and II, and became a commercial airport in the 1950s. It is London's third airport and has been voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years. The airport has a capacity of serving three to six million passengers annually and offers flights to over 200 worldwide destinations. The airport is easily accessible by train, with its own train station just 100 steps from the terminal, and by car via the M25.

London Southend Airport's history

London Southend Airport has a rich history that dates back over a century. The airport is situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, about 36 miles from central London.

The site was first recognised during World War I when the War Office identified it as a potential landing ground in 1914. The following year, in 1915, Sub Lieutenant A.W. Robinson made the first flight from a grass runway, attempting to intercept a German Zeppelin in a Bleriot aircraft. During the war, the airfield served as a base for the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), which later merged to form the Royal Air Force. In 1916, it was named RFC Rochford and was used for training airmen and launching defensive counterattacks on German raids.

After the war, in 1920, the site reverted to farmland until Southend Council purchased it in 1933. On September 18, 1935, the airport was officially opened as Southend Municipal Airport by Philip Sassoon, the Under-Secretary of State for Air. Crilly Airways became the first airline to operate at the airport, offering flights to Clacton, Southend, and Margate. During World War II, the airport was used by the Air Ministry, and civilian flights were halted.

In the 1950s, two new runways were constructed, enabling commercial flights and cross-channel services. The airport thrived in the 1960s, becoming the UK's third busiest airport during that decade, serving nearly 700,000 passengers in 1967. However, in the 1970s, passenger numbers declined, and the airport faced competition from other London airports due to its short runway.

In the 1990s, Southend Council sold the airport to Regional Airports Ltd. In 2008, the British logistics company Stobart Group (now Esken Limited) acquired the airport for £21 million. The new owners made significant upgrades, including improving navigation and lighting systems and extending the runway by 300 meters. A new terminal and control tower were constructed, and the airport railway station was inaugurated in 2011, providing direct services to London Liverpool Street and Stratford.

In 2012, easyJet established a base at the airport, leading to a rapid increase in passenger numbers. The current terminal, built during this expansion, can handle five to six million passengers annually. London Southend Airport has consistently been recognised as one of the best airports in Britain, known for its quick check-in and security screening processes.

Airlines and destinations

London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC) is an international airport situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England. The airport is approximately 36 miles (58 km) from the centre of London.

London Southend Airport mainly handles scheduled passenger, charter, cargo, and business flights, alongside general aviation flying and pilot training. The airport has a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Ordinary Licence, which allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee.

The airport has a dedicated Southend Airport Station just 100 steps from the terminal door, and up to six direct trains an hour from London Liverpool Street. Passengers can get to the airport in 53 minutes from London and 40 minutes from Stratford. Over 30% of London-based passengers chose the train, making it a popular choice for passengers and airlines in London and the South East.

London Southend Airport was voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years by consumer group Which? in 2013, 2014, and 2015. It won best London airport for six consecutive years between 2013 and 2019.

London Southend Airport is the UK's fastest-growing regional airport and has the capacity to serve more than three million business and leisure passengers a year. The airport is currently in talks with several airlines and plans to introduce new routes in the coming years.

The airport's location provides it with an excellent weather record, making it a preferred diversion alternative for airlines when adverse weather or incidents cause other London airports to close.

In April 2012, easyJet began operating services by opening a base at Southend, with flights to a range of European destinations. Irish carrier Aer Lingus Regional also started regular flights to Dublin in May 2012, resulting in a rapid increase in airport passenger numbers.

London Southend Airport offers popular routes for both one-way trips or return journeys to some of the most famous cities in the world. Passengers can find great flight deals to trending destinations and compare ticket prices on websites like Kiwi.com.

London Southend was the UK's third-busiest airport during the 1960s, behind Heathrow and Manchester, before passenger numbers dropped off in the 1970s. During this time, BAF and later Air UK ran scheduled services to European destinations and the Channel Islands.

Transport to and from the airport

London Southend Airport is located approximately 36 miles (58 km) from the centre of London. The airport is easily accessible by car, bus, taxi, train, or even bike.

If you are travelling by car, there are four official on-site car parks just a short walk from the terminal. The short-stay car park is directly opposite the terminal, and the long-stay car park is a 3-5 minute walk away. Both car parks are open 24 hours, and the first 15 minutes of any 24-hour period in the long-stay car park are free.

For those travelling by bus or coach, the 7, 8, and 9 buses stop near the Holiday Inn adjacent to the airport. Additionally, the X1 bus, operated by Ensign, provides a late-night service from Southend to London Victoria, arriving at 1:05 am. This service is ideal for passengers on very early or late flights.

London Southend Airport also has its own dedicated train station, located just 100 steps from the terminal door. Up to six trains per hour depart from London Liverpool Street, with a journey time of around 53 minutes. Stratford is also a 40-45 minute train ride away. The Elizabeth Line provides convenient links to Central London, with stops at Shenfield, Stratford, and Liverpool Street. From May 2023 onwards, passengers can connect through Central London without any changes.

Passengers can purchase train tickets online, through self-service machines at the station, or from the ticket office, which is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm. It is worth noting that Oyster/contactless payments are not accepted beyond Shenfield, and a valid ticket is required for the remainder of the journey to the airport.

Airport facilities and amenities

London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC) is an international airport situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England, approximately 36 miles (58 km) from the centre of London. The airport is steeped in history, from its early beginnings in World War I and II to becoming a fully-fledged commercial airport in the mid-1950s.

London Southend Airport has a range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its passengers. Here are some of the key features:

• Transportation and Parking: The airport has its own dedicated train station, just 100 steps from the terminal, with convenient links to Central London. There are also multiple parking options available, including a free pick-up/drop-off facility for up to 15 minutes in the Long Stay car park.
• Dining and Retail: The airport offers a variety of food and drink options, including The Pilot Café, The Pilot Bar, The Navigator, and SKYCAFÉ. These outlets provide a range of dining choices and are equipped with power sockets for charging devices. Additionally, there are shops like WHSmith and World Duty Free for passengers' convenience and last-minute shopping needs.
• Accommodation: A four-star Holiday Inn hotel is located adjacent to the airport entrance, offering a convenient option for travellers. The hotel features the only rooftop restaurant in Essex when it opened in 2012.
• Special Assistance: The airport provides a special assistance desk located opposite the terminal entrance for passengers who require additional support. The terminal is not open 24 hours, but it is accessible from three hours before departure until one hour after arrival, accommodating any delays.
• Connectivity: Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal, allowing passengers to stay connected during their time at the airport.
• Other Amenities: London Southend Airport also offers essential amenities such as cash machines (ATMs) dispensing both sterling and euros, currency exchange services, and lost property services. The airport has also implemented state-of-the-art C3 screening equipment, enhancing security and allowing passengers to keep electrical items and liquids in their bags during screening.

Passenger numbers and growth

London Southend Airport, located approximately 36 miles from the centre of London, has experienced fluctuations in its passenger numbers over the years. The airport, which is run by London Southend Airport Co Ltd, has a capacity of serving five to six million passengers annually.

In the 1960s, Southend Airport was the UK's third busiest airport, but passenger numbers declined in the 1970s. The airport underwent significant development after being purchased by the Stobart Group in 2008, including the construction of a new terminal and control tower, runway extension, and the opening of the Southend Airport railway station. These improvements contributed to an increase in passenger numbers, with 721,661 passengers in 2012, 969,912 in 2013, and surpassing one million in 2014 with 1,102,358 passengers.

However, there was a decline in the following years, with 900,648 passengers in 2015 and 874,549 in 2016. The airport saw a notable increase of over 25% in 2017, with 1,095,914 passengers. In 2018, the airport welcomed just over 1.4 million passengers, an increase of nearly 400,000 from the previous year.

London Southend Airport achieved a significant milestone in 2019, reaching over two million passengers, its highest number to date. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted passenger numbers, with a decline in 2020. However, the airport has been in recovery mode since then, with a reported 58% increase in passenger numbers during the summer of 2024 compared to the previous year.

The airport's convenient access to London, efficient train connections, and quick check-in and security processes have contributed to its popularity. With London's expanding population, particularly in areas like Stratford, the airport is well-positioned to cater to a growing number of passengers. The airport's marketing strategies and collaborations with airlines, such as easyJet, have also played a crucial role in attracting more passengers and expanding the range of destinations served.

Looking ahead, London Southend Airport has ambitious plans to increase its annual passenger numbers from 3.5 million to a remarkable 10 million in the coming years.

Frequently asked questions