London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC) is located in the Rochford district of Essex, roughly 68 km (42 miles) northeast of central London. The airport lies between Southend-on-Sea and Rochford, and has evolved significantly since its early days, when it served as one of London’s busiest airports in the 1960s.
After being acquired by the Stobart Group in 2008, Southend underwent a major transformation: a new terminal opened in 2012, along with a modern control tower, extended runway, and a rail link connecting the airport to central London via the London Liverpool Street–Southend Victoria service.
The runway at Southend now measures 1,856 metres (6,089 ft) in length and is surfaced with asphalt. The airport’s most recent annual report (2023–24) shows that 172,068 passengers travelled through Southend in the reporting year (ending February 2024), a significant recovery with a 93% increase compared to the previous year.
Ownership of the airport changed recently: in March 2024, the Carlyle Group and Cyrrus Capital Partners took control, investing up to £32 million to support further growth. London Southend aims for long-term expansion, with planning permission secured to extend the runway to 1,799 metres to allow for medium-sized jets with 100–150 seats, which could increase its annual passenger capacity up to 2 million.
The airport serves a mix of scheduled, charter, cargo, and business aviation. It has 24/7 customs and immigration facilities, and its fixed-base operator (Stobart Executive) offers VIP amenities. Southend is also investing in sustainability: the commercial development page notes that over 25% of its terminal energy comes from its own on‑site solar generation.
Thanks to its rail connection — just 100 steps from the terminal to the dedicated Southend Airport Station — traveling to and from London is quick and convenient. With its renewed growth trajectory, Southend Airport aspires to return to and surpass its pre‑pandemic traffic levels, supported by airlines like easyJet and a renewed focus on business and leisure services.
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