ROCHFORD is set to benefit from six new routes being offered from Southend Airport.

It is anticipated that 60 new jobs will be created thanks to the new routes from Flybe, which will be on offer from today.

They will be taking passengers to:

• Rennes (in France)

• Groningen (in the Netherlands)

• Münster Osnabrück (in Germany) • Cologne Bonn (in Germany)

• Caen Normandie (in France)

• Antwerp (in Belgium)

By the time they are fully operational there will be a total of 102 weekly flights on these new routes.

This increase will include double daily return flights on services to Antwerp and Rennes, meaning business and leisure passengers can now fly in the morning and return home the same day.

Stobart Air has also announced that to cater for this expansion it is creating 60 new jobs based at London Southend Airport - recruitment for these new positions is now getting underway.

Leader of Rochford District Council, Terry Cutmore, said: “I welcome the local job opportunities that come with the continued expansion of London Southend Airport and the benefits this will bring to the Rochford District. I’m sure that Flybe as an operator will contribute to the quality that’s already at the Airport.”

Simon Fagan, Chief Operating Officer, Stobart Air, said “We are delighted to announce these six new London Southend routes, all of which go on sale today on www.flybe.com.

"Each of these new routes will resonate with both business and leisure passengers. Prices are competitive, schedules are convenient, and the airports are efficient. From London Southend’s perspective, we will expect to deliver an extra 200,000 passengers in year one, rising to 700,000 passengers within three years.

"The airport’s connectivity to the centre of London, plus the positive customer experience make it attractive for both passengers and airlines. For the 20 million people living within two hours of London Southend Airport, it presents popular new destinations. The availability of daily return services on some of the routes means people can do a day’s business and be back home that evening. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board from 5 Jun.”

London Southend Airport Managing Director, Roger Clements, added: “This is fantastic news and perfect timing as we celebrate the completion of our terminal extension. We are convinced it is our unique, high standard of customer service that is responsible for London Southend becoming so popular over the past 12 months, and we are delighted to now be able to offer an even wider variety of destinations for business and leisure travellers, all year round.

"It is also fantastic that new jobs are being created, which is another economic boost we are bringing to the local area.”

• Services to Rennes, Groningen and Münster Osnabrück will commence on 5 June, with services to Cologne Bonn, Caen Normandie and Antwerp starting on 3 July.

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Six new flights for Southend Airport