Dawn of a new era as first easyJet flight soars from Southend Airport (From Southend Standard)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us Click here for details »
Dawn of a new era as first easyJet flight soars from Southend Airport
7:20pm Tuesday 3rd April 2012 in News
By Stephen Hackwell
Champagne time - airport staff celebrate the first flight
A NEW era began at Southend Airport with a blast of an easyJet engine.
As dawn broke across the extended runway yesterday, the first passengers of easyJet’s ten-year tenure at the airport shuffled through the doors of the new £10million terminal.
The budget airline’s inaugural flights – to Belfast, Barcelona and Amsterdam – passed largely without hitches, although people on the soldout Barcelona route were delayed for 40 minutes because of the knock-on effects of a French air traffic control strike. Later in the day, there were delays of up to two hours on easyJet flights to and from Amsterdam and Belfast.
But the wait did not dishearten delighted passengers, many of whom had booked their tickets as soon as they went on sale last summer. Theresa Kudla, 54, from Leigh said: “We have been waiting for this since August. We are only a 30-minute walk from the airport, so it’s a fantastic facility for us. I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve seen.”
Boris and Liz Chetnik from Rochford flew to Barcelona with their two children. Mr Chetnik, 43, said: “It’s going to be very good to have this on our doorstep..”
Linzi Haigh, 43, travelled to the airport from her home in East London on the new rail link from Liverpool Street.
She said: “It was very easy to get to and I was impressed by how quick check-in was. We would usually go to Stansted, so it’s nice to have an option.”
EasyJet will base three aircraft at Southend to serve nine destinations this summer, with Geneva replacing one of the routes in winter.
Airport bosses have promised it will take no longer than four minutes to check in, and no more than 15 minutes for arriving passengers to go from “plane to train”.
Catherine Lynn, easyJet’s director of customer and revenue, said: “We’ve been delighted with how well the first flights have gone. The feedback has been fantastic.”
Comments(50)
eric python
says...
8:14pm Tue 3 Apr 12
Not a very good start.
Last Poster
says...
9:03pm Tue 3 Apr 12
RobertFS
says...
10:17pm Tue 3 Apr 12
eric python wrote:I've just come back from Lisboa - delayed 1 hour + becauise of the French.
and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK. Not a very good start.
Many flights have been cancelled so we were lucky.
Was your comment an attempt at sarcasm?
152
says...
10:48pm Tue 3 Apr 12
al coniston
says...
5:33am Wed 4 Apr 12
eric python wrote:You can't blame the airport for that !
and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK.
Not a very good start.
Oh, and just for your information, the flight to Amsterdam was 35 minutes 'tarmac to tarmac' - quite an amazing feat and not one that i would expect to be matched by any other commercial service between UK and Amsterdam.
Brunning999
says...
7:21am Wed 4 Apr 12
A real surprise to many that an airport almost 100 years old is being used to fly AEROPLANES out of!
Alice in Her Own Land :P
says...
7:51am Wed 4 Apr 12
Brunning999 wrote:My thoughts exactly. This is long over-due. Long may the success continue.
Amazing achievement AN AIRPORT THAT IS BEING USED AS AN AIRPORT!
A real surprise to many that an airport almost 100 years old is being used to fly AEROPLANES out of!
All 9 of me
says...
10:33am Wed 4 Apr 12
al coniston wrote:last october I took a BA flight from Gatwick to Amsterdam. Tarmac to tarmac ..31 minutes. admittedly there were strong tailwinds on this occasion, and on the plus side, BA dont use the furthest away gates (H) resulting in less of a taxi to the terminal
eric python wrote:You can't blame the airport for that !
and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK.
Not a very good start.
Oh, and just for your information, the flight to Amsterdam was 35 minutes 'tarmac to tarmac' - quite an amazing feat and not one that i would expect to be matched by any other commercial service between UK and Amsterdam.
sav25
says...
12:43pm Wed 4 Apr 12
al coniston
says...
12:45pm Wed 4 Apr 12
All 9 of me wrote:Are you sure about that timing ?
al coniston wrote:last october I took a BA flight from Gatwick to Amsterdam. Tarmac to tarmac ..31 minutes. admittedly there were strong tailwinds on this occasion, and on the plus side, BA dont use the furthest away gates (H) resulting in less of a taxi to the terminaleric python wrote: and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK. Not a very good start.You can't blame the airport for that ! Oh, and just for your information, the flight to Amsterdam was 35 minutes 'tarmac to tarmac' - quite an amazing feat and not one that i would expect to be matched by any other commercial service between UK and Amsterdam.
Given that there is controlled airspace speed restiction of 250kts below 10,000 feet it would take an aircraft leaving Gatwick at least 11 minutes to enter overhead airspace at Southend - leaving just 20 minutes to cross the North Sea and decelerate/land at Amsterdam - doesn't sound feasible to me, but if you're sure . . .
al coniston
says...
1:14pm Wed 4 Apr 12
sav25 wrote:i haven't noticed any difference in noise levels whatsoever which isn't surprising given that the A319's are extremely quiet
So...did anyone notice any noise? That seems to have been the big debate over the last few months...
j-w
says...
1:20pm Wed 4 Apr 12
Ian P
says...
1:44pm Wed 4 Apr 12
All 9 of me wrote:No mention of the 90 minute return flight due to headwinds then. LoL.
al coniston wrote:last october I took a BA flight from Gatwick to Amsterdam. Tarmac to tarmac ..31 minutes. admittedly there were strong tailwinds on this occasion, and on the plus side, BA dont use the furthest away gates (H) resulting in less of a taxi to the terminaleric python wrote: and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK. Not a very good start.You can't blame the airport for that ! Oh, and just for your information, the flight to Amsterdam was 35 minutes 'tarmac to tarmac' - quite an amazing feat and not one that i would expect to be matched by any other commercial service between UK and Amsterdam.
Max Impact
says...
2:56pm Wed 4 Apr 12
Ian P wrote:or the time to get to Gatwick and check in!
All 9 of me wrote:No mention of the 90 minute return flight due to headwinds then. LoL.al coniston wrote:last october I took a BA flight from Gatwick to Amsterdam. Tarmac to tarmac ..31 minutes. admittedly there were strong tailwinds on this occasion, and on the plus side, BA dont use the furthest away gates (H) resulting in less of a taxi to the terminaleric python wrote: and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK. Not a very good start.You can't blame the airport for that ! Oh, and just for your information, the flight to Amsterdam was 35 minutes 'tarmac to tarmac' - quite an amazing feat and not one that i would expect to be matched by any other commercial service between UK and Amsterdam.
The anti's will jump on the smallest thing to moan about.
The French are due back at work on Friday but the Spanish are walking out on Saturday...
southendshrimper
says...
6:39pm Wed 4 Apr 12
eric python wrote:So I take it you are a saen fan? The french strike & you blame Southend Airport for the delays. Typical. I'll treat you to a flight from Southend Airport..... Oops sorry you don't fly.
and todays Barcelona flight was six hours late in leaving caused by the French air traffic control strike with a knock on effect on all the other expected flights to and from Southend and the UK.
Not a very good start.
notinwestcliffanymore
says...
11:54pm Wed 4 Apr 12
waveydavey
says...
7:46am Thu 5 Apr 12
openspace
says...
8:50am Thu 5 Apr 12
Remember the statements !!!
We will stop the expansion through judicial reviews and court cases, Wrong.
We will prevent the new road and closure of the old one, Wrong !!!
The runway will not be ready in time, Wrong.
No major airliines will come here, Wrong.
I could go on, but you all remember the claims.
It is sad when some individuals take on issues, believing that they are the saviours of society. They are , of course, a small minority who are entitled to their views but totally waste their lives in trying yo inflict their views on the majority, who either disagree or just don't care.
What's the next issue they are going to take on, ( on our behalf !!!!!!!!, NOT ).
openspace
says...
9:00am Thu 5 Apr 12
openspace wrote:PS I am looking forward to my first flight from Southend in May.
I don't generally gloat, but given the lies and misinformation spread by SAEN, I am prepared to make an exception.
Remember the statements !!!
We will stop the expansion through judicial reviews and court cases, Wrong.
We will prevent the new road and closure of the old one, Wrong !!!
The runway will not be ready in time, Wrong.
No major airliines will come here, Wrong.
I could go on, but you all remember the claims.
It is sad when some individuals take on issues, believing that they are the saviours of society. They are , of course, a small minority who are entitled to their views but totally waste their lives in trying yo inflict their views on the majority, who either disagree or just don't care.
What's the next issue they are going to take on, ( on our behalf !!!!!!!!, NOT ).
No long road journeys, no fuel and CO2 emissions from my car on the journey. No car parking fees. Local taxi firm will be used. Cost from Southend, flight only, is slightly more expensive but trip is cheaper overall, given parking and fuel savings.
I wish the airport much success and hope that extra jobs help the local economy, many already created.
_champagne2
says...
12:44pm Thu 5 Apr 12
APR
says...
12:51pm Thu 5 Apr 12
I just stayed quiet :)
_champagne2
says...
1:23pm Thu 5 Apr 12
r6keith
says...
4:53pm Thu 5 Apr 12
openspace wrote:As a campaigning supporter of the airport from the begining I endorse what you say. The lies told to try to stop this day happening are now shown for what they really are lies. I think some protest for the sake of protesting and have now taken up residence on the forecourt of the old Toomeys by Priory Park , but fortunately for us there is a large hedge in front of them so you hardly know they are there. looking at the odd signs by the site I think they have taken on every protest possible.
I don't generally gloat, but given the lies and misinformation spread by SAEN, I am prepared to make an exception. Remember the statements !!! We will stop the expansion through judicial reviews and court cases, Wrong. We will prevent the new road and closure of the old one, Wrong !!! The runway will not be ready in time, Wrong. No major airliines will come here, Wrong. I could go on, but you all remember the claims. It is sad when some individuals take on issues, believing that they are the saviours of society. They are , of course, a small minority who are entitled to their views but totally waste their lives in trying yo inflict their views on the majority, who either disagree or just don't care. What's the next issue they are going to take on, ( on our behalf !!!!!!!!, NOT ).
benfleet101
says...
6:54pm Thu 5 Apr 12
notinwestcliffanymorI was in Rectory Grove, Leigh, earlier and saw one coming into land. It looked beautifully graceful and I didn't hear any noise above the traffic...
e wrote:
whilst walking along the a13 near west leigh school an easy jet flight came in to land, although very low there was hardly any noise!.
muffindamule
says...
7:38pm Thu 5 Apr 12
pipeman
says...
9:54pm Thu 5 Apr 12
I will be using Southend myself next week, really looking forward to it..!
Phoenix 22.
says...
10:04pm Thu 5 Apr 12
pipeman
says...
10:49pm Thu 5 Apr 12
ans.org/2012/04/05/6
90/
jayman
says...
1:42am Fri 6 Apr 12
high pressure with strong head winds on approach and the claims on here about super silent aircraft may be de-bunked quite quickly..
openspace
says...
9:55am Fri 6 Apr 12
pipeman wrote:Fair to assume, therefore, that the rail passengers were not clogging up local streets by parking their cars there. Well, that's a surprise !!!
Was over the new terminal today, a large percentage of the arriving/departing passengers were using the station, this airport is an excellent facility all round now what was it that sean said..? people would not want to carry their baggage on a train..!
I will be using Southend myself next week, really looking forward to it..!
That's another "worry" out of the way. Most of us knew this would probably be the case anyway, but one in the eye for the moaners of this world !
APR
says...
10:06am Fri 6 Apr 12
Maybe due to ongoing problems on mainland Europe.
The 9:55 arrival from Amsterdam, didn't take off until 10am.
APR
says...
10:09am Fri 6 Apr 12
Must have been going at Warp Factor 1 :)
muffindamule
says...
10:16am Fri 6 Apr 12
APR wrote:That would be the 'coffee shop effect' I expect.
Just checked again and it had Amsterdam departure and Southend Arrival both at 9:55am.
Must have been going at Warp Factor 1 :)
BASILBRUSH
says...
11:14am Fri 6 Apr 12
jayman wrote:Jayman you are talking nonsense...again.
there was a nice tail wind and the pressure and weather conditions where perfect.
high pressure with strong head winds on approach and the claims on here about super silent aircraft may be de-bunked quite quickly..
The wind yesterday was about 080 degrees and 8 knots.
That is a head wind when landing from the South West.
A basic weather App on a smart phone tells you that.
Also a strong wind would be associated with Low pressure, not high.
Just call me John Ketley..
henrygale
says...
7:19pm Fri 6 Apr 12
southendshrimper
says...
7:28pm Fri 6 Apr 12
Must have been a member of saen.
Matthew of Basildon
says...
2:09pm Sat 7 Apr 12
I've never been particularly big on anything of the aviary kind, but it was nice to know Southend's 'adrenaline shot to the arm' has arrived! Welcome all ye' tourists, spend thy money in our crap stores so we may be more than Discount Land!
M99SS3
says...
10:29am Sun 8 Apr 12
Max Impact
says...
2:31pm Sun 8 Apr 12
Matthew of Basildon wrote:Basildon known for nothing but interbreeding chavs and pink shell suits...
I had the great pleasure of seeing the plane coming in to land whilst on the train. At first I actually jumped when the blooming thing came into vision! I've never been particularly big on anything of the aviary kind, but it was nice to know Southend's 'adrenaline shot to the arm' has arrived! Welcome all ye' tourists, spend thy money in our crap stores so we may be more than Discount Land!
Last Poster
says...
5:54pm Sun 8 Apr 12
Max Impact wrote:Thanks Max impact. You obviously have some resentment towards this wonderful town. You have obviously not seen the beautiful people of Basildon or, more likely, they have judiciously turned away from you knowing that your eyes have long-lost the sight of anything wonderful, as those same eyes are filled with prejudice and hatred of anything good and see only through sulphur, fire and brimstone. You shrivel in the face of the wondrous light emanating from our fair town,
Matthew of Basildon wrote:Basildon known for nothing but interbreeding chavs and pink shell suits...
I had the great pleasure of seeing the plane coming in to land whilst on the train. At first I actually jumped when the blooming thing came into vision! I've never been particularly big on anything of the aviary kind, but it was nice to know Southend's 'adrenaline shot to the arm' has arrived! Welcome all ye' tourists, spend thy money in our crap stores so we may be more than Discount Land!
Innit!
Deborah007
says...
8:30pm Sun 8 Apr 12
Diannah
says...
11:20pm Sun 8 Apr 12
southendshrimper wrote:Obviously hadn't taken his viagra to stop him rolling over.
Can't believe some old man on the radio this morning called in to say a jet took off this morning & the noise & vibrations shook his house so much he fell out of bed.
Must have been a member of saen.
So pleased about the airport. Love watching the planes.
Last Poster
says...
11:55pm Sun 8 Apr 12
APR wrote:Isn't there something about BST involved in this equation?
Actual flight times don't seem to match up with advertised times.
Maybe due to ongoing problems on mainland Europe.
The 9:55 arrival from Amsterdam, didn't take off until 10am.
pipeman
says...
11:17am Mon 9 Apr 12
Last Poster wrote:Correct LP,
APR wrote:Isn't there something about BST involved in this equation?
Actual flight times don't seem to match up with advertised times.
Maybe due to ongoing problems on mainland Europe.
The 9:55 arrival from Amsterdam, didn't take off until 10am.
Holland time is:
Central European Summer Time (CEST) +0200 UTC, so the flight
would appear to land here at the same time it took off from AMS.
APR
says...
7:17pm Mon 9 Apr 12
r6keith
says...
12:33pm Tue 10 Apr 12
Last Poster wrote:I wish I could get somewhere five minutes before I had left to get there !
APR wrote: Actual flight times don't seem to match up with advertised times. Maybe due to ongoing problems on mainland Europe. The 9:55 arrival from Amsterdam, didn't take off until 10am.Isn't there something about BST involved in this equation?
Matthew of Basildon
says...
1:22pm Tue 10 Apr 12
Last Poster wrote:Max Impact: I think your comment was a little unnecessary. I work in Southend full time and spend most of my free time here too. Basildon is where I rest my head but Southend is where I love. I love the air here, the multi-culture (When it works), the character, but most importantly I love how (Despite what some believe) how hard the town trys! Every day it seems like there is something bigger and better planned and I genuinly meant that having Easy-jet on board will help this town.
Max Impact wrote:Thanks Max impact. You obviously have some resentment towards this wonderful town. You have obviously not seen the beautiful people of Basildon or, more likely, they have judiciously turned away from you knowing that your eyes have long-lost the sight of anything wonderful, as those same eyes are filled with prejudice and hatred of anything good and see only through sulphur, fire and brimstone. You shrivel in the face of the wondrous light emanating from our fair town, Innit!Matthew of Basildon wrote: I had the great pleasure of seeing the plane coming in to land whilst on the train. At first I actually jumped when the blooming thing came into vision! I've never been particularly big on anything of the aviary kind, but it was nice to know Southend's 'adrenaline shot to the arm' has arrived! Welcome all ye' tourists, spend thy money in our crap stores so we may be more than Discount Land!Basildon known for nothing but interbreeding chavs and pink shell suits...
However let's face facts, as I say, the highstreet isn't exactly overflowing with good quality shops, and I'm sure we'd agree upon the fact it's to do with the mile high rent and parking issues, so any 'shot in the arm' is a bonus for the town. More people journeying to and from Southend, more publicity and hey-ho, we're one step closer to making City-Beach more than a joke.
APR
says...
3:32pm Tue 10 Apr 12
Certainly quieter than those of the 60's and 70's.
Those used to make the TV flicker too.
Last Poster
says...
9:15pm Tue 10 Apr 12
Matthew of Basildon wrote:strangely enough, I think Southend are doing a good job. I sat on the beach and visited a coffee shop at Chalkwell and with the warm sun and delicious Latte, thought This could be Malta!
Last Poster wrote:Max Impact: I think your comment was a little unnecessary. I work in Southend full time and spend most of my free time here too. Basildon is where I rest my head but Southend is where I love. I love the air here, the multi-culture (When it works), the character, but most importantly I love how (Despite what some believe) how hard the town trys! Every day it seems like there is something bigger and better planned and I genuinly meant that having Easy-jet on board will help this town.
Max Impact wrote:Thanks Max impact. You obviously have some resentment towards this wonderful town. You have obviously not seen the beautiful people of Basildon or, more likely, they have judiciously turned away from you knowing that your eyes have long-lost the sight of anything wonderful, as those same eyes are filled with prejudice and hatred of anything good and see only through sulphur, fire and brimstone. You shrivel in the face of the wondrous light emanating from our fair town, Innit!Matthew of Basildon wrote: I had the great pleasure of seeing the plane coming in to land whilst on the train. At first I actually jumped when the blooming thing came into vision! I've never been particularly big on anything of the aviary kind, but it was nice to know Southend's 'adrenaline shot to the arm' has arrived! Welcome all ye' tourists, spend thy money in our crap stores so we may be more than Discount Land!Basildon known for nothing but interbreeding chavs and pink shell suits...
However let's face facts, as I say, the highstreet isn't exactly overflowing with good quality shops, and I'm sure we'd agree upon the fact it's to do with the mile high rent and parking issues, so any 'shot in the arm' is a bonus for the town. More people journeying to and from Southend, more publicity and hey-ho, we're one step closer to making City-Beach more than a joke.
Keep up the good work, people af Sarfend! We low lives from Basildon won't criticise you if you do!
southendshrimper says...
8:08pm Tue 3 Apr 12