VISITORS from across Europe could be set to land at Southend Airport after bosses announced an exciting link with UEFA ahead of the Champions League final.

In an advisory letter to residents and councillors living close to the airport, bosses revealed they will be “supporting the football event by sharing capacity” with other London airports.

The Champions League final, on Saturday at Wembley, will see players, delegates and fans from across Europe head to London to watch the match.

The match, between Spanish giants Real Madrid and German club Borussia Dortmund is set to generate huge revenue for the UK economy and the airport will operate UEFA flights within its already agreed hours.

The airport has warned all details are subject to change, but the news has been hailed as another huge positive step in the airports future.

Six smaller business jets and five business planes are set to arrive at Southend ahead of the match, with 16 jets and nine passenger planes departing at the game finishes.

Rochford district councillor for Roche South, Mike Steptoe, (pictured inset) said: “Southend Airport is incredibly well placed for access to London, they reckon that the moment you step off the plane it is 20 minutes through customs to the train and then it is around an hour to London.

“They have announced major flights this year and next year and it is all looking extremely positive for the airport, it is one of the single biggest catalysts for the economy around Southend, Rochford and south Essex generally.

“One thing that always comes up when discussing the airport is the origins of employees and 80 to 85 per cent come from the SS postcodes, these are direct jobs and the knock-on impact is incredible.”

The airport added that further that they “understand that our requirement to support this international event may cause noise disturbance” but the larger aircraft will be moving to the “passenger terminal” to avoid ground noise.

The letter says: “London Southend Airport will be the only London airport to accommodate these UEFA flights within existing operational controls.

“Other London airports have been granted additional allowances to accommodate night flights for this specific event. Due to capacity, and to try and reduce disturbance for local residents, we will operate the larger private charter flights from the passenger terminal, which is further away from Wells Avenue and other residential areas.”