London Southend Airport will start taking Easyjet flights from April 2012.
The low cost carrier will start operations from Southend to some 10 European destinations with three A319 aircraft.
Easyjet expects to serve some 800,000 passengers via what will be its 11th UK base in the first year of operations, with a total of 70 flights.
While final destinations have not yet been announced, Easyjet said Barcelona, Faro and Ibiza will be included.
Southend will see significant expansion before Easyjet launches at the airport, with a multi million pound new terminal opening in the autumn of 2011. A new train station, with improved links to London, is also due to open this summer.
The London airport seems to be gathering interest from a number of airlines in recent months, with the launch of Aer Arann flights earlier this year.
Catherine Lynn, Easyjet’s customer and revenue director, said: “We are excited to be opening London Southend as easyJet’s 20th base airport.
“The airport is in a fantastic location just outside London with a fast rail link into the city. This is a unique opportunity to offer a world class customer experience, with passengers able to get from the plane to the train in 15 minutes.”