Southend airport has been granted approval for the extension of its terminal building by Rochford Council.
The new terminal officially opened in March, and Easyjet launched operations from the facility to destinations including Amsterdam, Barcelona and Belfast in April.
The airport says construction of the extension is “planned to get underway later this year”, and will see the building expanded by 90 metres, with additional features including:
- An increased number of check-in desks and baggage drop off points
- Additional security screening channels
- An enlarged departure lounge
- A larger arrivals area with enhanced baggage reclaim facilities and a larger immigration area
- Expanded retail and catering facilities
Southend airport says that passengers currently departing the facility wait “a maximum of four minutes for security”, while arriving travellers with hand luggage-only “can expect to travel from plane to train within 15 minutes of leaving the aircraft”.
The airport expects passenger numbers to “grow towards two million per year by 2020”
Southend's managing director Alastair Welch said: “We are very pleased that Rochford Council has indicated they support this extension, which will ensure that we are able to maintain the high levels of customer service we intend to be the hallmark of Southend Airport as our passenger numbers grow.
"This is also further evidence of the role the redeveloped airport is playing in supporting the regeneration of the wider economy.”
southendairport.com
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