SOUTHEND Airport has announced ambitious plans to triple its passenger numbers next year as it tries to strike a deal with two new airlines.

The airport hopes to welcome 2.5million passengers through its terminal in 2018. With 874,000 people flying from Southend last year and a predicted 1.25million passengers expected by the end of this year, there is certainly work to be done.

Glyn Jones, chief executive of the airport, which is owned by the Stobart Group, believes bringing in new airlines is the key to enticing extra passengers.

EasyJet and FlyBe are currently based at Southend Airport - but they could soon be joined by other big names.

Stobart has confirmed it is already in talks with two airlines, but further details have not yet been released due to ongoing negotiations.

Mr Jones said: “We already have a great relationship with EasyJet, but what we really want to do is get new airlines.”

With Heathrow and Gatwick taking in an overwhelming number of passengers, Southend is one of the only airports with capacity for growth.

With its direct train link from outside the terminal into London Liverpool Street, Southend Airport is easily accessible.

The airport also has a helicopter service which transports people visiting the country on business straight to the Isle of Dogs for £2,000.

Mr Jones is confident the airport can cope with the proposed expansion, which he claims will be a huge benefit to south Essex residents.

In 2014, the Echo told how 1,200 households were seeking compensation for the loss of value on their house owing to noise disturbance from aeroplanes.

Their legal battles are still ongoing.

The runway is situated diagonally above Southend, with planes flying above Leigh and Stambridge on their way in and out of the airport.

Mr Jones said: “At the moment, we get very few noise complaints. The noise controls at Southend are very tight and we comply with all our restrictions”

“We will always, always comply with regulations in regard to noise and the environment”.

“To make it bigger, we won’t make it bigger and worse, we will make it bigger and better.”