EasyJet has begun its expansion at Southend airport with a new flight to Bordeaux taking off yesterday afternoon.
The new service is the first of four to launch this summer and will operate three times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Routes to be added by easyJet from Southend this summer are Prague, Pula and Dubrovnik.
With the four additional services, the budget airline hopes to carry more than one million passengers from Southend this summer, a 25% year-on-year rise in passenger numbers.
EasyJet now flies to 20 destinations from Southend.
Sophie Dekkers, easyJet’s director of UK market, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating further expansion at London Southend Airport and it’s great to announce the inaugural flight to Bordeaux – one that is expected to be popular with those looking for a short break, second home owners and as a region famed for its wine-growing, wine connoisseurs.
“Having been at London Southend Airport for over six years, the addition of another aircraft this summer will help us to deliver long term, sustainable growth at the airport whilst providing passengers with a greater range of destinations, all with low fares and great service.”
Glyn Jones, chief executive of London Southend Airport, added: “Our successful partnership with easyJet continues to go from strength to strength, and the addition of a new aircraft at London Southend will bring four exciting new routes – Bordeaux, Prague, Pula and Dubrovnik – and further choice to passengers using our airport.
“We are now London’s fastest growing airport, and it is great to see that easyJet expect to carry over one million annual passengers to and from the airport for the first time this year. We are expecting great demand for flights to Bordeaux and wish the passengers on this inaugural flight bon voyage.”