THERE is “no doubt” over the future of Southend Airport with bosses in talks with “dozens of airlines” over a new permanent base.

Glyn Jones, chief executive of Stobart Air, admitted a deal won’t happen this year but talks are taking place with “almost every airline”.

It comes after easyJet withdrew it’s base from Southend Airport last summer.

Mr Jones insisted the airport “will survive” the struggles of the Covid pandemic.

He told the Echo his focus is now on the summer of 2022, rather than the next few months.

He said: “We’re expecting to be 50 per cent down this summer compared to the summer of 2019.

“There is underlying demand there, but confidence is so low at the moment.

“This year isn’t quite a right off, but it’s getting close to that point.

“There’s no doubt we will be fine, but there isn’t much reason to be cheerful.

“We’ve seen a 93 per cent drop in passengers since the start of the pandemic.”

Just last week, Ryanair announced more flights from Southend to Greece from July 1.

easyJet withdrew from the airport in September, with several protests from staff and unions in weeks following in a bid to protect jobs.

While council bosses said earlier this year that major road improvements to the A127 and A13 would aim to entice the budget airline back to Southend.

Mr Jones explained how the ambition is to secure more than one airline with a permanent base at the airport.

He added: “We are still planning to have more than one airline based here.

“There is interest from them, but because of Covid, they can’t make a firm decision.

“I’m hoping 2022 is the year we will see it happen.

“We need a base to create jobs for the area, it also helps us grow quicker.

“We’ve held talks with dozens of airlines. It’s the nature of the game, we are selling our airport to them.”

International travel is permitted from May 17, as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.