SOUTHEND Airport has announced it is about to start work on a new £10million terminal extension with the creation of more than 300 new jobs.

Airport bosses say work will get underway early next month. It will begin with the construction of a new arrivals area expected to be completed by May 2013.

The rest of the 90-metre extension will be ready by Christmas 2013 and will help cater for growing passenger numbers which are expected to top 2 million by 2020.

The extra room will allow for more check-in desks and baggage drop-off points and there will be more space for passengers in security.

Announcing the expansion this afternoon, Airport director Alastair Welch said: “Our aim is to ensure that we deliver a very special level of customer service in Southend and this extension will allow us to ensure we can continue to deliver those high standards as the airport grows.

“This is also further evidence of the role the redeveloped airport is playing in supporting the regeneration of the wider Essex economy.”

Kier has been appointed as contractor for the work.

The departure lounge will also be bigger, giving passengers more room to relax while they wait to board flights. A larger arrivals area will provide better baggage reclaim facilities and a larger immigration area.

Retail and catering facilities will be expanded throughout the terminal in order to provide a much wider range of shops and services available to passengers.