Residents near Southend Airport delight after end of night flights

Residents living close to the airport have been demanding an end to night flights, which they say are loud enough to wake them and prevent them from sleeping. 

Many have welcomed news that Amazon will cease running flights from September, but some remain cautious over the impact it will have. 

Bryne Drive resident, David Smith, 71, said it is partial relief, but wants to make sure all night flights are stopped.

He added: “It is only a partial relief, but not the full story.

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“Amazon cargo flights were always the loudest flights causing severe impact to residents, but they are not the only ones.

“All night flights must end to give all the residents a full night’s sleep and the time to recover their sanity after two years and ten months of constant heath and mental damage, which has taken a severe toll on our lives.”

Another nearby resident Charlotte Crawley, added: “Me and my husband are regularly woken up at 4am and often can’t get back to sleep.

“I don’t mind the daytime flights at all, in fact I like seeing them fly over, and I appreciate the money they generate in the area, but I won’t miss the 4am wake up call.”

Back in 2020, thousands had signed a petition calling for an end to night flights from Southend Airport.

Southend West MP Anna Firth has also welcomed an end to the Amazon night flights, which she claims resulted in “years of sleepless nights for residents. 

She added: “From raising the issue in the House of Commons to meeting with the

Minister for Aviation and lobbying the chief executives of both Southend Airport and Southend City Council, I have been relentless in pursuit of a peaceful night’s sleep for my residents.

“This news finally brings an end to their suffering, and I hope that Southend Airport will continue this trend of acting as a good neighbour to our great city.”