Following a welcome from the Airport’s Managing Director, Alastair Welch and Head of Business Development Jonathan Rayner, who also gave an update about the firm’s current and future development plans, guests were taken on a guided tour of the airport and its environs - including a chance to see the new control tower and railway station close up.

According to the airport officials, construction projects required to make London Southend a fully-functioning regional airport by 2012 are all on target to meet their completion dates. By extending the runway, London Southend Airport will be able to attract airlines operating commercial passenger services to a wide range of business and holiday destinations that cannot currently be served by the airport. The airport is predicting passenger growth to 2 million passengers per year by 2020.

The new London Southend Airport Railway station is scheduled for completion later this year and the new Control Tower will be fully operational from February 2011. Road works required to enable the diversion of Eastwoodbury Lane to extend the runway will begin in late autumn.

Mr Welch said: “Now is an exciting time for the airport, as we are finally beginning to see all the developments we have been planning and working towards happen. It won’t be long now until local people will be able to fly to a variety of business and holiday destinations, without making the trek to Stansted, Gatwick, Luton or Heathrow.”

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