Flights to Slovenia back on the timetable at Southend Airport

Last week the Echo revealed Sea Air was launching flights to the Bavarian fairytale capital of Munich, having previously announced a route from Southend Airport to the Croatian city of Osijek.

The airline has now revealed a third route as it expands its presence at the airport.

From this summer, passengers will be able to fly to Slovenia's second biggest city, Maribor, which is famed for its wine.

The destination, a two hour flight away, proved a big hit when it was previously served by Adria Airways.

Captain Grant Annals, director of flight operation for Sea Air Slovenia, a subsidiary of the Croatian airline, said Southend Airport had been chosen because of its focus on business.

He said the airport's focus on customer satisfaction also made it a big draw.

Mr Annals said: “Sea Air Slovenia is operating to Southend because we have executed due diligence into London airports, and we do believe that Southend Airport, together with its business oriented management, is the best choice for us as a small airline.

“Beside the very short ways from the aircraft to the exit, the passenger also has the advantage to have a good and cheap train connection to London.

“We are not operating only to Munich, but also to Osijek in Croatia, and are planning to connect Maribor in Slovenia during summer 2016 with Southend airport.

“If we want to serve the London market, we need to have a flexible and customer-oriented airport, and this is Southend Airport.”

Between June to October last year, Slovenian airline Adria Airways operated three flights a week to Maribor, which became London's first service to the city.

Southend Council leader Ron Woodley welcomed the new routes.

He said: “I think Southend Airport is ideally suited and, once we get the new franchise on the Victoria line with improvements in connectivity with planes taking off early in the morning and late at night, it will be in even greater use.

“One thing I would love to see is a route to Budapest, too, because we have quite a large Hungarian community in the area and it’s a lovely city.”

Flights to Maribor are expected to cost €185, about £145, for a return ticket if booked two weeks before take off, or €235, around £185, if booked within two weeks.

Flights to Munich begin on Monday, May 9, while flights to Osijek will begin on Thursday, May 12

Sea Air does not have its own air operator certificate, so operates flights under the flight numbers of other airlines, though the company has said it is working towards obtaining a certificate from the Croatian Civil Air Office.