THE boss of Southend Airport said he believes the site can play a role in helping ease flight congestion in the south east before others are expanded.

A Government report on Tuesday called for either a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick to be built, in order to increase capacity.

MPs are also yet to rule out an airport on the Isle of Grain, Kent, as still being a possibility, but did rule out a Stansted expansion.

But Southend Airport’s operations director, David Lister, said before any of the other options are implemented, his improving base could help plug the gap in capacity.

He said: “With no new runways proposed before 2030 and the opening next month of Southend’s extended terminal, the culmination of more than £120million investment, Southend Airport is in a position to provide travellers to and from London, an easy travelling experience.”

He added: “Our investment demonstrates the significant capacity which now exists at Southend and we can make a real difference to the congestion issues faced across the other London airports.”

Five new aircraft stands have recently been completed at the airport and a £10million extension to the terminal is scheduled to open early next year – enabling it to increase capacity and improve customer service.

But the number of flights leaving the airport is capped at 53,000 a year under council agreed restrictions, so a major increase in the number of aircraft leaving it is unlikely.