Southend Airport has launched a new route to Germany.

From today, you can fly to historic Paderborn-Lippstadt in Germany.

Founded by the Emperor Charlemagne, Paderborn dates back more than a thousand years and has an incredible 13th century Cathedral with stunning stained glass windows. Paderborn is also home to the world’s largest computer museum (Heinz Nixdorf Museums Forum).

The city is located in the heart of Germany and is a significant software hub.

International giants such as Siemens, Wincor Nixdorf and Flextronics operate in Paderborn, which has also seen a wave of IT company start-ups since the 1980s. It now boasts one of the highest concentrations of specialist IT companies in Germany and hundreds of software firms, making it an attractive destination for the fast-growing business and tech community in the South East.

Flights will take place three times per week, operated by Adria Airways.

To celebrate the launch, there was a Water Arch Salute from the Fire Service and cake for all passengers

Glyn Jones, chief executive of London Southend Airport, said: “It’s great to welcome a new airline and another route to London Southend Airport.

"The South East is home to a significant number of IT companies, therefore the ability to travel direct to Paderborn, one of Germany’s largest software hubs, should prove a major boost to business development opportunities in the region.”