10:30am Friday 3rd September 2010
budget airline EasyJet is “unlikely” to fly from Southend Airport when it expands, says an employee.
EasyJet’s David McLaren made the statement on the company’s official customer feedback website, Get Satisfaction.
He was responding to a suggestion posted by customer that the airline should consider operating services at Southend to fly to Berlin. In the statement, Mr McLaren says: “As EasyJet already service three London airports, which are more centrally located than Southend Airport, it is unlikely that we will fly to and from this airport once the modernisation is finished.
“Also, EasyJet does already fly from Berlin to both London Gatwick and London Luton a number of times daily.”
Campaigners Stop Airport Extension Now, which is against the runway’s extension, said the comment supports its argument that Southend is too “inaccessible” and close to homes to become a passenger airport.
Spokesman Denis Walker said: “Evidence that Southend will be unable to attract passenger operators has been mounting for some time.”
But airport bosses said they are holding “constructive talks with a number of airlines”, though they could not reveal who.
An airport spokesman added: “The airport’s main focus is still attracting passenger airlines to the airport.”
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