EasyJet is planning to open a new base at London Southend Airport, a key travel connection for tourists visiting the Algarve region. The airline says the base – its 10th in the U.K. – will be launched next March and serviced by three A320neo aircraft.
In addition to Faro Airport, EasyJet currently serves international routes from London Southend to Amsterdam, Geneva, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Paris Charles de Gaulle, having flown a total of more than seven million customers from the London airport since operations began in 2012.
Its nine existing bases are at London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Birmingham (launched in March this year), Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.
In a statement announcing its plans, the airline said, “Investing in a 10th base in the U.K. with three 186-seat A320neo aircraft at the airport strengthens EasyJet’s network by positioning it as the carrier of choice to serve U.K. consumers and capture the continued demand for travel.
“The U.K. is EasyJet’s largest market with 56 per cent of all EasyJet passengers flying to and from U.K. airports, and this announcement comes as the airline is set to operate more U.K. flying than ever before this year with over 57 million seats – a 10 per cent increase versus last year – and has launched 70 new routes from the U.K., fuelled by strong consumer demand for EasyJet’s flights and holidays.”
The planned addition of more aircraft at London Southend will enable EasyJet to launch six new routes to Pisa, Gran Canaria, Dalaman, Antalya, Marrakech and Enfidha. In the meantime, package holidays are on sale for departures from 1 May 2025, available seven days a week, and flights will be on sale in the coming months.
Commenting on the expansion plans, EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said, “We are delighted to be announcing another three-aircraft base in the U.K, at London Southend Airport. This will create hundreds of jobs and provide more choice for consumers with new routes and package holidays.
“Our continued growth and investment in the U.K. highlights the importance of the market where this year we will operate more flying than ever before with our customers choosing our flights and holidays because of our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great-value fares.”
Added John Upton , CEO of London Southend Airport, “We’re thrilled to welcome an EasyJet base to London Southend, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs locally as well as convenient, new and returning connections to many popular leisure and city destinations.
“This move is indicative of the demand from people in the east of London, Essex and the wider East Anglia region who now have greater opportunities to choose to travel through our well-connected, quick and easy airport. EasyJet passengers will start their holiday sooner at London Southend as they relax and discover our award-winning terminal experience.
“Our dedicated on-site rail station is less than one hour from central London; only 43 minutes from Stratford, London with connections to the Elizabeth Line; and only 100 paces from the terminal door.”
