SOUTHEND Airport is taking longer than than it hoped to attract new airlines, its owners have admitted..

Stobart Group reported a 22 per cent rise in year-on-year passengers using the Essex airport in the five months to the end of July.

The company said yesterday ahead of a trading statement: “We continue to have advanced talks with a view to introducing additional airlines to operate from Southend Airport.

“This is taking longer than originally planned, with airlines’ planning schedules requiring a lead time of six to 18 months for investment in new operations.”

However, Stobart added that earnings per passenger from commercial airport activities is “close to the management’s target”.

It added: “We continue to support new route development at Southend Airport through our franchise with Flybe operated by our regional airline,” Stobart added.

“In May 2017, we started operations to 11 additional European destinations.

“The group is confident about meeting the 2018 and 2022 calendar year targets but with some risk in the near-term targets.”

Stobart is looking for 2.5 million passengers to be using the airport by the end of 2018, doubling to five million by 2022.

But it admitted this was dependent on securing a major airline to start operations next year.

The group’s new chief executive Warwick Brady, former chief operating officer at EasyJet, said: “In order to meet our aviation target we need to build a portfolio of airlines that will capitalise on London’s capacity constraints as well as the large London catchment.

“This has taken longer than we originally envisaged. However, I am convinced that the overwhelming demand for additional airport capacity in London means we will ultimately meet this objective.”

The airport was voted the best “London” airport in a survey by Which magazine this month.

It received a customer satisfaction score of 84 per cent, 16 percentage points ahead of second-placed London City.

Passengers received a five-star rating in two areas, for staff friendliness and helpfulness.