AIRPORT bosses have insisted Southend will survive EasyJet’s decision to pull out, with “modest passenger numbers” and a “strong income” recorded despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stobart, the owners of Southend Airport, have attempted to reassure investors that a number of route cancellations and the loss of EasyJet will not prove fatal.

The trading update also revealed the airport’s deal with Amazon to provide night-time cargo flights could be expanded.

Bosses are confident the airport will benefit from an expected increase in short haul holidays in coming months.

A spokesman said: “In spite of the challenging backdrop for the aviation industry, Southend Airport continues to benefit from strong uninterrupted income through its global logistics operations and recommenced passenger flights from June.

“While passenger activity has been modest in the initial months since reopening, Southend Airport remains well positioned to benefit from the expected recovery in the short-haul leisure travel market as and when restrictions ease.

“In addition, there is scope for further development of our logistics operations given growth in online demand.”

It comes as up to 90 baggage handlers at the airport face losing their jobs as redundancy consultations are underway.

Warwick Brady, chief executive of Stobart Group said: “The Group is executing the strategy it set out at the time of the capital raise and is employing strict financial discipline to safeguard both the operational capability and the value of its core assets to ensure it will be positioned to respond to a recovery in demand.

“We are delivering a cost-effective passenger-focused experience at Southend Airport; we are reviewing the strategic options to realise value from Stobart Energy; we have exited the Rail and Civils business ahead of plan; and we continue to evaluate opportunities to dispose of remaining non-core assets.”