THE countdown is on as flights to the "best-value" short-haul summer destination are set to return to Southend Airport in less than a month.

This summer's easyJet flights to Faro will be launching next month - with increased flights this year.

The service launches on May 1, with two more flights to Portugal's Algarve region on May 26 and May 27 revealed last month.  

A Southend Airport spokesman shared: "The countdown is on... it's less than a month until flights to Faro with easyJet start.

"According to a new Holiday Money Report from Post Office Travel Money, the Algarve in Portugal has become the short-haul destination offering UK holidaymakers the best value for money this summer.

"Flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday starting May 1."

This comes as flights to Malaga re-started this week, with services every Monday, Thursday and Saturday until June when they will increase to five days a week.

The budget airline is also increasing its flights to Paris and Palma de Mallorca this summer - adding to Southend Airport's busy schedule with sunseekers having eight destinations to choose from.

It operate an extra Sunday flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle between July and August, as well as an added Thursday flight each week to Palma de Mallorca over the busy peak season between June 27 and October 24.

This will mean up to eight weekly flights to the Spanish hotspot at times during the summer.