SOUTHEND Airport’s first commercial flight of the year took off this morning for Malaga.

Holidaymakers looking for a bit of early-year sun departed Southend as bosses at the airport expressed their delight at the resumption of easyJet services.

The budget airline giant ran flights last year from between May and October 31 – having returned to the airport after quitting operations during the pandemic.

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With tickets on sale to Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Faro and the latest addition recently Amsterdam, the airport is ready to serve its passengers again this summer.

The first departing flight of the year was celebrated with complimentary drinks and celebratory cupcakes, served by the team from the airport’s brand new Skycafe in the departure lounge.

Local aviation streamer Chris Newell from SDTV went live on the airport’s Facebook page to capture the flights’ arrival, turnaround and departure this morning, with more than 1,500 viewers tuning in.

John Upton, CEO Southend Airport, said: “On behalf of myself and the incredible team at London Southend, it is with great pleasure that we are once again able to do what we do best and serve our passengers, alongside our airline partner easyJet.

“Millions of people living in east London and the east of England need an airport that they can get to quickly and easily – Southend Airport is just that. Many of this morning’s passengers arrived from London and from across Essex and the Southeast by train, demonstrating just how well connected we are.

“People can also travel from London’s busiest station, Stratford, in 43 minutes, with further connections to Crossrail from nearby Shenfield. They can then travel through our modern airport terminal, and relax in our departures lounge, starting their well-earned holidays the right way.”

He added: “We know that our passengers are our greatest advocates. That’s why we are working night and day to secure more destinations and more airline partners. We look forward to providing updates on our progress.”

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: "We are delighted to be flying once again from Southend Airport this summer, providing customers with convenient direct connections to explore or relax in some of Europe’s most popular beach destinations.

“We are also pleased to have added Amsterdam as the latest route on sale from the airport with flights departing from May 24 meaning we can serve our customers from London Southend once again with more choice and great value fares.”

The airport, which can be reached in only 53 minutes from London Liverpool Street, recently announced the addition of Amsterdam to its summer line-up and an extra four flights per week to Faro, increasing the commercial operation by 30 per cent compared to summer 2022.