Today, the airport – whilst recognised in government policy as having the potential to cater for two million passengers a year – catered for 48,000 passengers in 2008 through a regular summer flight to Jersey and a daily corporate shuttle service to Cologne. There were about 42,000 aircraft movements, 43% of these being flying club movements and 3.5% business aviation. The airport currently averages 3 departures an hour.

The future, with a runway extension, will deliver new benefits to the area. A runway extension will see more aircraft movements; however many would be quieter (as they will be more modern aircraft) and be flying higher (due to the improved climb performance modern aircraft have) over Southend and Rochford to a wider range of destinations.

But what will this look like?

Around four departures per hour
With a runway extension, at 2 million passengers per annum, the airport would anticipate (but not be restricted to) around four movements per hour.

Traffic generated by passengers similar to a medium sized supermarket
The airport, catering for two million passengers in 2020, would see a traffic generation at peak times at similar levels as those seen by medium sized supermarkets during peak shopping times. The A127 currently carries over 50,000 vehicles per day. Passengers and staff at the airport will represent a very small proportion of traffic on the road network (typically less than 5%).

The redistribution of flows associated with the Eastwoodbury Lane diversion will lead to improvements in the performance of some local junctions. The airport has already taken the notable step of committing £12 million to the new airport rail station and an updated strategy has been prepared highlighting opportunities to improve access to the airport by more sustainable modes (such as the new rail station). It has also set a framework for taking forward necessary improvements in surface access and increases in public transport usage by passengers and staff.

Over 6,700 jobs
The development of the airport will transform the economic prospects of Southend and Rochford, introducing to the economy a stimulus and source of growth and job opportunities on which future economic development, regeneration and prosperity can be founded.

The East of England has been one of the fastest growing economies in the UK over the last 20 years. Within the region there is, however, an increasing gap between the areas that are performing well and those (including Southend) that are not. In contrast to the region and the Thames Gateway South Essex sub region, which saw employment growth of 5% between 2001 and 2007, employment in Southend has fallen by 3% with the loss of about 2,000 jobs.

The airport currently employs about 1,100 people, and supports a further 200 jobs in the local area and 600 in the region in businesses which supply services to airport companies. By 2020 airport related employment in the local area around the airport would increase to 3,000, with 2,500 jobs based at the airport.

A further 400 jobs related to the airport are located elsewhere in the region and sub-region and by 2020 this would increase to 1,000.

However, the economic benefits of the airport will not be confined to those directly related to on-airport activity. The airport will also play an important role in drawing other new business to Southend and Rochford attracted by the presence of the airport, the international connectivity it will bring and by the opportunity to do business with airport related enterprises. These wider benefits would underpin further regeneration of the local area and the Thames Gateway sub region, estimated to give rise to a further 3,700 jobs in the local area.

Further jobs and benefits would be secured in the construction sector and also in the tourism sector – especially so if the runway extension is able to be completed in time to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by the London Olympics.

In overall terms the airport would be the generator of over 6,700 jobs in the local area.

Tighter restrictions on night noise
To reduce annoyance caused by flying at night, the proposals suggest an 87% reduction in the cap on night flights from 915 (today) to a maximum of 120 flights per month – the number of night flights currently at the airport between 11.00pm and 6.30am.

No aircraft with a Quota Count (QC) of greater than one will be allowed to operate at night. QC1 aircraft are one of the quieter categories of aircraft.  Aircraft during this night time period will take off and land away from Southend, over less populated areas, unless there are significant conditions which prevent this.

A major new investment in Southend
The airport will be a striking, modern new facility for Southend. The terminal will be constructed in two phases and will initially have five aircraft stands before being expanded to provide a further five (compared to 70 at Stansted) and cater predominantly for existing local demand. The airport will have a new rail station with fast and frequent services to Southend itself, neighbouring communities and direct to London. Overall, a further £18 million will be spent on infrastructure improvements at the airport.