SOUTHEND Airport bosses are confident the new partnership with Aeroitalia will lead to “further routes to Italian destinations” as residents celebrate the exciting new route.

Yesterday, Southend Airport revealed it has formed a partnership with Aeroitalia – the second largest airline in Italy – to launch six flights a week to Milan Bergamo.

The announcement has been met with excitement by residents and holiday-makers, and marks the continued revival of Southend Airport since the Covid pandemic wreaked havoc on the tourism industry.

Now, Nigel Mayes, business development director at Southend Airport, has revealed the new deal could lead to even more routes from Southend. He said: “The summer of 2023 saw us grow from three to ten routes and fly tens of thousands of passengers to their European destinations.

“This current winter season also sees our largest winter flying programme with easyJet of the last four years.

“The relationship with our largest carrier easyJet remains strong and the recent, significant route growth connecting London Southend with cities like Paris and Amsterdam, as well the re-launch of popular winter ski destinations Geneva and Grenoble this winter is testament to this.

“With Aeroitalia, we hope that there will be further Italian routes to follow as this new airline partnership develops.

“In the year ahead, we hope to see nearly half a million people from the east of London and Essex choose our award-winning airport and the routes flown with our existing partners easyJet, Balkan Holidays and Santa’s Lapland.”

The Italian city is best known as one of the most fashionable in the world, but it is also rich in history with famous landmarks.

Flights will start from Monday, March 25, 2024, and will offer six-times weekly flights with tickets starting from 79.99 one-way.