We asked Echo readers what they like or dislike about the airport as it has become a favoured airport with Londoners:

Jonathan Hillier, 42, from Southend is an engineer
"I love being close to Southend Airport, it means I can jump in a cab and can be there in under ten minutes.
"Within a couple of hours you are straight on a plane out of here. 
"Also I would like to add that my boy is autistic, and they do special bands there to assist him with his travel whilst in the airport."
Southend Airport also offers wristbands to allow airport staff to identify and this in turn offers support to passengers with hidden disabilities, who may have difficulties in an airport environment.

Julie Gooding, 59, From rectory Road, Hawkwell is tea room assistant 
"If you ask me, I think that it is great that as Essex residents, we have the opportunity to use these facilities, such as Southend Airport.
"I think there was a time when residents couldn’t use the airport so I think that it is great to have access again.
"I also believe that Southend Airport brings employment and enterprise to Southend and Rochford District.
"I think that this is so very important for our area to thrive and I love it. 
"It is Stobbart that owns Southend Airport, so as far as I am concerned I say Go Stobbart."

Mavis Gunner, 70, who lives in Leigh-on-sea and is retired
"I have used Southend Airport when going on holiday and I have found it is very convenient. 
"However, there is a bit of a negative impact of the airport. 
"I live directly under the flight path of some of the planes, and so it has become hugely intrusive especially as of late. There has been a big increase in the number of flights from Southend Airport in recent years. 
"More flights mean it is very noisy, and I have to stop speaking until they have passed over. Also training flights practice is getting noisier.”

Alan Saddington, 74, Canvey retired
"I guess that it is a good thing to have an airport in Southend.
"I have not used the airport but I would probably use it if the destinations that the airport serves were where I wanted to go for a holiday.
"I think that the people who live nearby Southend Airport may think there are some negative impacts of the airport.
"I can imagine that people who live near flight paths would be worried about the increase in passengers and flights and the knock on affects of this.
"I think that if we do start to see a huge spike in passengers numbers issues of congestion and pollution wold be made somewhat worse."

Phil Rackley, 69, Basildon, retired
"I think that the area of as a whole Southend needs a bit more encouragement. 
"I also think that it is useful to have an airport close by, I feel this was because it means that rather than having to travel much further afield to other airports such as Stansted, that we can get flights easier.
"In my opinion, the fact that Southend Airport has been increasing their range of flights in recent years, is a very good.
"It recently brought in flights to Dublin, which I think is great. 
"I think that it is encouraging to know that Southend is expanding. 
"I am a great believer in regional airports."

Paul Thompson, 44, business owner from Southend 
"I am a fan of Southend Airport, for a number of reasons.
"I think that the airport is really good for Southend. 
"It is also so convenient for Southend and south Essex residents who want to have a quick getaway holiday.
"I think that the fact that we have Europe on our doorstep is just fantastic. 
"I think if we see more growth at Southend Airport then we need to have the infrastructure in place for that. 
"I am not worried about pollution by the airport."

Danny Lovey, 70, retired from Langdon Hills
"I am a big fan of Southend Airport. 
"I have used the airport a few times and am very impressed with it, because it is just so easy to get in and out of it.
"I also think it is so convenient and I love it.
"I would not want to encourage anyone not to use Southend Airport. 
"It has been used for holiday flights so many, many years, I remember going on holiday from Southend Airport as a youngster.
"I don’t think pollution is at a stage where we need to worry that the airport is working over capacity levels to cause those sort of pollution issues."

Jan Watt, 58, retired from Basildon
"I love Southend Airport and I think that most other people in south Essex will also feel the same way as I do.
"I have used the airport when going on holiday and now even have started to arrange my holidays around Southend Airport because for me it is so easy. 
"It means that I can be home in about 20 minutes when I get back from holiday.
"This year I am going to use the train to get to the airport for the first time.
"I don’t think that there are enough flights to cause pollution issues but I think noise can be an issue."