Southend Airport...Why? (From Echo)
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What Easyjet boss said when told of flgihts plan
11:00am Friday 11th May 2012 in Southend
Boarding – EasyJet’s first flight
EASYJET’S UK director originally demanded to know “why would we want to do that?” when he was told about plans to start flights from Southend Airport.
Speaking after the budget airline’s half-year results showed a pre-tax loss of £112million, Paul Simmons revealed he was initially dumbfounded when his team revealed proposals to move three planes to south Essex.
EasyJet launched flights from Southend to nine overseas destinations last month and plans to add an extra two routes by next February.
Mr Simmons said he had been won over by the airport’s charms after learning about the efforts of its new owner, Stobart Group, to improve efficiency and comfort for passengers.
He said: “In Southend, you have a great little airport that is doing exactly what it was intended to do.
“My first reaction when I was told about going to Southend was: ‘Why would we want to do that?’ “I can see why now. I can see we are opening up a whole new region.”
Despite its losses between October and March, Mr Simmons said he was happy with easyJet’s performance.
The £112million figure was a £41million improvement on the same period a year earlier, despite an £87million jump in fuel costs.
Moreover, most airlines report a loss during the first half of the year, as the bulk of their profit is made during the busy summer season, and they make a profit overall.
For example, during the year from October 2010 to September 2011, easyJet made an overall pre-tax profit of £248million.
Mr Simmons said he expected Southend to perform strongly once the summer tourists starting going to places like Malaga, Ibiza and Faro.
He said: “Southend has a catchment area that includes most of south Essex and east London, but it can also draw passengers from other airports, such as City.
“We are very pleased with how it has operated so far and are confident it will continue to perform well.”
Comments(31)
Mannersway
says...
11:39am Fri 11 May 12
bob64 wrote:This is one of the reasons we have booked our Holiday from our own Airport. No hassle or parking fees for us and over all cost.
From what I hear it is a delight to fly from Southend. When you think of the rediculous palarva of getting to stansted /gatwick /heathrow, the cost of parking and the risk of traffic delays etc. as far as I can see finally we have a local option and not forced into doubling (or worse) overall journey times with a lengthy trek to the airport at this end. I absolutely will choose my next holiday based on where I can fly from Southend.
Haven't flown to Spain before normally Greece or Italy lets hope for them next year.
31 Days and counting.
doasilikey
says...
11:51am Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays
says...
11:54am Fri 11 May 12
GeneralGrb
says...
12:00pm Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays wrote:It only takes you 17 mins longer to get to Luton from Billericay?
Great Airport BUT if you fly from Luton to the same destinations its 33% CHEAPER.. We looked last month for the same destination and date and we saved £84 between the 2 of us. Stanstead was exactly the same price as Southend. So for the sake of a bit longer journey taking 17 mins longer for us from Billericay. £84 is £84 and we travel 6 or 7 times a year on cheap breaks. Also we have found Air Lingus from Gatwick or Luton is far cheaper than Southend but that's a horrid journey. Also there are no extras with Air Lingus like luggage or pre book seats etc. easyjet was fantastic from 1995 up to 2006 and then they got greedy.
Assuming you have to drive, you will have spent a fair bit on petrol and no doubt even more on parking at Luton, so ho wmuch of the £84 did you actaully save?
gardenman
says...
12:08pm Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays
says...
12:08pm Fri 11 May 12
doasilikey
says...
12:29pm Fri 11 May 12
GeneralGrb
says...
12:30pm Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays wrote:Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey.
It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..
You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
GeneralGrb
says...
12:41pm Fri 11 May 12
53 miles in 45 mins seems a tad optimistic, it takes at least 15 mins just to get to the M25 on a good day.
Chap
says...
12:44pm Fri 11 May 12
Additionally, I for one, am grateful that my wife doesn't get to scour the Duty Free shops for various (usually expensive) 'bargains' before we even get on the plane! By my calculations, I am probably near on £500 better-off by using Southend.
I'm sure it won't always work in my favour by such a margin but I'll take whatever I can get :-)
al coniston
says...
12:50pm Fri 11 May 12
GeneralGrb wrote:he would have to do 70mph door to door to get there in 45 minutes and that doesn't include time looking for a parking space (of which there are plenty at Southend) . . . also, easyJets flight prices are on an escalation scale - the earlier you book, the cheaper they are . . . so maybe the Luton flights just aren't as popular as those from our local airport !
JimmySays wrote:Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey.
It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..
You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
r6keith
says...
2:13pm Fri 11 May 12
al coniston wrote:Jimmy I would still fly from Southend even if driving up the road saved me £100 why just the ease of the whole thing leave home amble to airport check in get on plane no stress no bother all in less time than I would have to give myself to ensure I got to Gatwick on time to park the car to check in two hours before my flight. Southend for me !
GeneralGrb wrote:he would have to do 70mph door to door to get there in 45 minutes and that doesn't include time looking for a parking space (of which there are plenty at Southend) . . . also, easyJets flight prices are on an escalation scale - the earlier you book, the cheaper they are . . . so maybe the Luton flights just aren't as popular as those from our local airport !JimmySays wrote: It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey. You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
bob64
says...
2:56pm Fri 11 May 12
southend_Dave
says...
3:17pm Fri 11 May 12
Id take a drive up the A127 over an M25 excursion anytime, although with Sadlers Farm causing problems on the A127 you may get to Luton quicker :)
r6keith
says...
3:31pm Fri 11 May 12
bob64 wrote:I live in Southend , landed 20.35 collected bag from reclaim got lift I was in doors with the kettle on 20.50. Gatwick at that stage I would still be walking through the maze of corridors !
My pal said an hour after touch-down at Southend, she was at home with a cuppa. Compare that to Gatwick, you are still going through passport control / baggage claim.
bob64
says...
3:38pm Fri 11 May 12
r6keith wrote:Fantastic! This is how it has been for people living near Stansted, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton etc etc for years. For too long the people of South East Essex have endured cost and hardship of not having a local airport. Its just great to have it - well done Stobart, Easy Jet and others. May there be many more!
bob64 wrote: My pal said an hour after touch-down at Southend, she was at home with a cuppa. Compare that to Gatwick, you are still going through passport control / baggage claim.I live in Southend , landed 20.35 collected bag from reclaim got lift I was in doors with the kettle on 20.50. Gatwick at that stage I would still be walking through the maze of corridors !
al coniston
says...
3:57pm Fri 11 May 12
r6keith wrote:chances are you would have been waiting for a bus after being dropped off at the wrong terminal at Gatwick had you been with easyJet . . . 3 times in the past i have flown from Gatwick with EZ and every time i have returned to the wrong terminal, requiring an inconvenient 10 minuted bus ride from the north to the south terminal . . . then having to join huge queues at passport control !
bob64 wrote:I live in Southend , landed 20.35 collected bag from reclaim got lift I was in doors with the kettle on 20.50. Gatwick at that stage I would still be walking through the maze of corridors !
My pal said an hour after touch-down at Southend, she was at home with a cuppa. Compare that to Gatwick, you are still going through passport control / baggage claim.
JimmySays
says...
4:33pm Fri 11 May 12
GeneralGrb wrote:We came back to Luton on the 3rd March and got in our car at 11.20pm and we was indoors at 12.05am. It is 47 miles from Billtown to Luton. Easy route and if we do it by taxi £100 return including the tip. £45 each way. A taxi to Southend from Billtown is £60 return and with a tip of £10 thats £70. daughter going to spain beginning march and fare Southend was £130 return, same destination Luton £77 return. Big saving for 4 people of £228. Extra few quid petrol so clear savings of around £215.. Swings and roundabouts.
JimmySays wrote:Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey.
It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..
You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
JimmySays
says...
4:33pm Fri 11 May 12
GeneralGrb wrote:We came back to Luton on the 3rd March and got in our car at 11.20pm and we was indoors at 12.05am. It is 47 miles from Billtown to Luton. Easy route and if we do it by taxi £100 return including the tip. £45 each way. A taxi to Southend from Billtown is £60 return and with a tip of £10 thats £70. daughter going to spain beginning march and fare Southend was £130 return, same destination Luton £77 return. Big saving for 4 people of £228. Extra few quid petrol so clear savings of around £215.. Swings and roundabouts.
JimmySays wrote:Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey.
It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..
You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
Skymaster
says...
4:39pm Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays wrote:JimmySays must have struck lucky with his Luton prices, generally Southend is consistently cheaper than the other London Airports. Just look ahead a few weeks on any route and you will prove it for yourself Jimmy. You would be daft not to check when next time you plan to go anywhere. Don't leave it to the last minute, as prices from most airports will then shock. Only Amsterdam and Belfast are twice a day at the moment, but hopefully, in time some of the others may be also and then it might not be so necessary to book too far in advance.
Great Airport BUT if you fly from Luton to the same destinations its 33% CHEAPER.. We looked last month for the same destination and date and we saved £84 between the 2 of us. Stanstead was exactly the same price as Southend. So for the sake of a bit longer journey taking 17 mins longer for us from Billericay. £84 is £84 and we travel 6 or 7 times a year on cheap breaks. Also we have found Air Lingus from Gatwick or Luton is far cheaper than Southend but that's a horrid journey. Also there are no extras with Air Lingus like luggage or pre book seats etc. easyjet was fantastic from 1995 up to 2006 and then they got greedy.
GeneralGrb
says...
4:44pm Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays wrote:Friend of mine is going to Spain in July and paid £90. Suppose it depend son when you book. Well in advance and its cheaper.
GeneralGrb wrote:We came back to Luton on the 3rd March and got in our car at 11.20pm and we was indoors at 12.05am. It is 47 miles from Billtown to Luton. Easy route and if we do it by taxi £100 return including the tip. £45 each way. A taxi to Southend from Billtown is £60 return and with a tip of £10 thats £70. daughter going to spain beginning march and fare Southend was £130 return, same destination Luton £77 return. Big saving for 4 people of £228. Extra few quid petrol so clear savings of around £215.. Swings and roundabouts.JimmySays wrote: It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey. You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
I have booked Aer Lingus to Dublin and it is roughly same price as Ryanair from Stansted and Aer Lingus from Heathrow. Diffrence is I can get a train to Southend in 15 mins at use my annual ticket to get there. As you say swings and roundabouts.
Would add that you may want to watch out for speed camera's next time you do Luton in 45 mins as it worjks out 70mph door to door and most roads leading to A12 and M25 from Billericay are 30mph and 40mph. Also do you really check your clock when you get in and out of a car?
JimmySays
says...
4:48pm Fri 11 May 12
paulss1
says...
4:55pm Fri 11 May 12
JimmySays
says...
5:08pm Fri 11 May 12
GeneralGrb wrote:Its where EsayJat flighs from
JimmySays wrote:Friend of mine is going to Spain in July and paid £90. Suppose it depend son when you book. Well in advance and its cheaper.
GeneralGrb wrote:We came back to Luton on the 3rd March and got in our car at 11.20pm and we was indoors at 12.05am. It is 47 miles from Billtown to Luton. Easy route and if we do it by taxi £100 return including the tip. £45 each way. A taxi to Southend from Billtown is £60 return and with a tip of £10 thats £70. daughter going to spain beginning march and fare Southend was £130 return, same destination Luton £77 return. Big saving for 4 people of £228. Extra few quid petrol so clear savings of around £215.. Swings and roundabouts.JimmySays wrote: It takes us just under 25 mins to get to southend airport and just under 45 to Luton. Luton has always had the cheapest parking since the 70s. We might save after extra petrol £75. So if we use Luton 4 times a year then thats a saving of £300 a year which is like getting 2 free short 5 night break twice..Surely you can jump on a train at Billericay direct to Southend Airport station in about 20 mins. Then you have no parking and just the train fare for a short journey. You also must be very quick and lucky on M25 to get to Luton in 45 mins each time you go.
I have booked Aer Lingus to Dublin and it is roughly same price as Ryanair from Stansted and Aer Lingus from Heathrow. Diffrence is I can get a train to Southend in 15 mins at use my annual ticket to get there. As you say swings and roundabouts.
Would add that you may want to watch out for speed camera's next time you do Luton in 45 mins as it worjks out 70mph door to door and most roads leading to A12 and M25 from Billericay are 30mph and 40mph. Also do you really check your clock when you get in and out of a car?
jayman
says...
5:34pm Fri 11 May 12
al coniston
says...
5:54pm Fri 11 May 12
jayman wrote:it was only a matter of time before you crawled out
wow.. what a 'non story'.. I once thought that the music of elbow was mediocre. Now I think they are great. In light of this, can I get a story in the echo about the work of said band. I could even get a few record label employees to post on a thread about how wonderful they are..
Levelfield
says...
3:05pm Sat 12 May 12
I think that if you look again at the cost of flights from Southend compared to the other London airports, you may be pleasantly surprised. I did a check on all the destinations this morning for a mid-June departure and Southend came out best most of the time. I assume that you do the same as me and put in 'London (all airports)' as the departure airport on easyJet's website. That way you can easily compare the prices to any destination. I booked a five day trip for two from Southend to Belfast in June this morning and at £98.00 return all in for us both I reckon that is pretty good.
RobertFS
says...
3:58pm Sat 12 May 12
jayman wrote:I agree with 'al'.
wow.. what a 'non story'.. I once thought that the music of elbow was mediocre. Now I think they are great. In light of this, can I get a story in the echo about the work of said band. I could even get a few record label employees to post on a thread about how wonderful they are..
I had to trawl down just to see how long it would take for one of the inSAEN group to put in his bit of rubbish
Cowpatrectus
says...
11:35pm Sun 13 May 12
Nebs
says...
8:46am Wed 16 May 12
Cowpatrectus wrote:To benefit the UK economy they should be looking to open up routes to places where people want to come to England for a holiday or business.
Easyjet should open up the Southend-Geneva route on a yearly basis (& not just the over the winter period for the skiing season). Many people, inclusive of myself, fly in & out to do business deals on a regular basis.
bob64 says...
11:23am Fri 11 May 12