Southend has roots in early civil aviation, later declined as larger London airports expanded, and returned to scheduled growth after major redevelopment in the 2010s.
Early aviation
Southend has long civil-aviation roots and was an important regional airport well before the modern low-cost era.
Decline and redevelopment
As Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted grew, Southend lost much of its earlier prominence. A major redevelopment, including a new terminal and railway station, brought scheduled passenger growth back in the 2010s.
Recent role
Today Southend functions as a small alternative London airport whose appeal depends on a matching route, easy rail access and a less crowded terminal rather than network breadth.
Fun facts
- Southend handled a then-record 692,686 passengers in 1967, long before its modern low-cost revival.
- The airport's dedicated railway station opened in 2011 and is only about 100 steps from the terminal, an unusually short station-to-check-in walk for a London airport.
- During the 2020 shutdown, airport staff used the closed runway for a charity run and cycle event rather than letting it sit completely idle.
See Southend's airport history and its account of the 2020 runway event.