Flybe to increase London Southend capacity, bases fifth aircraft to counter easyJet expansion

18 October, 2017

Flybe announced (18-Oct-2017) plans to increase capacity by 80% at London Southend Airport for summer 2018. Highlights include:

  • Relaunch of Dubrovnik and Zadar services;
  • Launch of four times weekly Antwerp service operating with 70 seat ATR 72-600 aircraft;
  • Fifth aircraft to be based at the airport from franchise partner Stobart Air, following easyJet's decision to base a fourth A320 aircraft at Southend from 25-Jul-2018;
  • 15,500 additional seats on France services including Rennes, Caen and Lyon;
  • 15 routes in total.

Stobart Aviation CEO Glyn Jones commented: "There's a correlation showing travel demand is driven by airline capacity. We've added hundreds of extra flights... But what is helping London Southend Airport go from strength to strength is our promise to deliver a better way to travel - more comfort, faster access, fewer queues and a friendlier experience than larger airports in the South East". [more - original PR]