Southend Airport has issued an update on its discussions with airlines after holidaymakers were left "exceptionally disappointed" at the lack of new easyJet routes.

Southend passengers have been piling the pressure on easyJet to add extra routes from the city's airport after hotly-anticipated Alicante flights were not included in the airline’s 2023 summer schedule.

The budget airline will once again be flying to Faro, Malaga and Majorca from Southend throughout the peak holiday season in 2023.

But no new routes were announced earlier this month when the 2023 schedule was unveiled, much to the frustration of holidaymakers.

Former councillor Roger Hadley, 73, from Mountbatten Drive, Shoebury, had said: “I am exceptionally disappointed.

“We like to use the airport as it’s so easy and would love to see Alicante flights brought back.”

Southend Airport revealed on Friday, however, that discussions with other airlines to widen its routes are "aplenty".

The airport responded to the frequently asked question: "Any news on discussions with other airlines to widen your routes?"

A Southend Airport spokesman answered: "Discussions aplenty. Of course, our main priority is getting London Southend Airport back to a bustling hub of aviation activity, and - although that takes time - we're working hard to speak with airlines and convince them that LSA is where they want...correction, need to be. 

"The easyJet summer schedule has been released and it's great to have Faro, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca back in 2023 - but there's still a long way to go."