Southend airport is restricting its operating hours to three
days a week as airlines continue to cut flights due to falling demand caused by
the coronavirus outbreak.
Starting next week, the Essex airport will only be open from
1630-2130 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays due to a severely reduced service
by its airline partners.
Easyjet and Ryanair have suspend all flights from Southend
until at least mid-May due to border closures and travel restrictions across
Europe, but some carrier have said they intend to continue a limited number of
services.
Wizz Air will operate three flights a week to Bucharest from
30 March, while Loganair will continue its three weekly services to Aberdeen.
However, the Scottish carrier has just announced it will cancel its Aberdeen route
until further notice.
Southend will maintain logistical operations such as cargo
flights, which it said will help it retain jobs at the airport.
CEO Glyn Jones commented: “I want to take this opportunity
to express my immense gratitude for the incredible team here at London Southend
airport who have responded fantastically to the unprecedented challenges faced
by the aviation industry and by the world as a whole. I am pleased that the
airport will contribute to the local community and its economy by securing jobs
and contributing to the economy.”
The news comes after both Carlisle Lake District and London
City airports announced they will cease passenger operations.