A NEW deal which will help diversify Southend Airport can open up more routes for passengers and secure the airport’s long-term future, it is claimed.

Bosses have reached an agreement with Air Horizont which will see the Maltese airline set-up its first UK base in Southend.

The airline has already stationed two VIP Boeing 737-400s at the city’s airport and is offering chartered flights for private customers, businesses and sports teams.

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The move comes as airport bosses have signalled an intent to focus on “profitable” passengers, rather than just passenger volume.

David Shearer, executive chairman of the airport’s owner Esked, told City A.M Southend Airport was undergoing a “strategic shift” in its business model.

The change in approach will secure extra cash revenues for the airport as it continues to recover from the Covid pandemic.

Southend councillor Daniel Nelson also believes it will help to attract more airlines to Southend Airport and open up new routes for holidaymakers.

He said: “Prior to the pandemic Southend Airport was a both a major flight hub and an excellent employer, one of the largest in the city.

“We need as many jobs as possible here if we are going to be a city that is taken seriously, rather than just being known for being close to London.

“I am all in favour of it building itself back up to those levels by diversifying its business as it can only mean good things for the residents.

“With more cash to play with we are more likely to see expanded holiday flight offerings.”

Covid-19 saw all three of the airport’s flight operators exit as passenger numbers fell 93 per cent, from 2.15 million in 2019-2020 to 147,000 a year later.

EasyJet has since resume operations from the airport, with flights to three destinations – Majorca, Malaga and Faro.

Air Horizont, was formed in Malta in 2015 and has flown more than 1.5million passengers on 10,000 flights around 50 countries since.

A spokesman for Southend Airport said bosses were “delighted” to announce the deal with the chartered airline.

He added: “This is another great addition to the airport, especially for local and London based businesses, sports teams, tour operators and airlines.

“The charter flights will operate this summer alongside London Southend airports scheduled passenger flights with easyJet.”