Southend Airport deal with private jet company at Olympics (From Echo)

Southend Airport deal with private jet company at Olympics

4:30pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Basildon

THE rich and famous will jet into Southend for the Olympics after bosses secured an exclusive deal with one of the world’s biggest private jet companies.

Landmark Aviation, which has bases at more than 50 airports across the globe, has named Southend Airport as its only destination for 2012 Games passengers.

To ensure its new well-heeled customers enjoy a smooth journey to Stratford, the airport has redesigned its old terminal to cope with as many as five luxury business jets at once. It is believed to have been enticed to Southend becaue of its proximity to the Olympic park, which can be reached in about 45 minutes on the train – quicker than from any other UK airport.

Dan Bucaro, Landmark’s chief executive, said: “We’ve seen the airport facilities first-hand and believe they represent something new and very special for the London area.

“We look forward to introducing our clients to Southend Airport and to ensuring they receive the best possible welcome and service when they fly to the UK this summer – whether for the Olympics or any other reason.”

Industry experts have predicted there will be an extra 3,000 private jet flights to airports within commuting distance of Stratford throughout the Olympics.

The deal secures business jet spaces for Landmark for the rest of the summer.

However, as the company specialises in providing last-minute luxury flights for rich passengers, airport bosses are unlikely to know which aircraft they will be welcoming until just a few hours before they arrive.

Alastair Welch, the airport’s managing director, said: “We are very excited to be entering into this partnership with Landmark.”