ABOUT 500 new jobs will be created at Southend Airport by next summer, it has been revealed.

The news came as Chris Grayling, the Tory Employment Minister, visited the rapidly-expanding airport to meet some of those who have already been employed.

Mr Grayling was impressed with the £35million expansion plans and said the jobs would be a timely boost for the town.

He said: “This is very exciting indeed. The arrival of 500 new jobs in an area like this will have a transformative effect on the economy of Southend.

“It’s really good news for the area at a time of big challenges in the labour market. There are great opportunities here, with the airport being so close to the City of London.

“This is a real asset to London and the South East, as well as Southend. I look forward to seeing Southend going from success to success.”

Mr Grayling was shown around by managing director Alastair Welch who proudly showed off the railway station, which opens for business today, the control tower and the passenger terminal.

Also present were easyJet’s customer and revenue director, Catherine Lynn, and Tory MPs James Duddridge and Mark Francois.

Afterwards, Mr Grayling met the 50 new recruits already hired by airport owners Stobart to work in areas including the railway, control tower, check-in, security and fire service.

Low-cost air firm easyJet announced last month it would fly 800,000 passengers from the airport in the first year alone, creating 150 new jobs, which would be a mixture of pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff.

The remaining 350 jobs will be within the airport. These will include baggage handlers and staff in the planned new hotel, shops and car hire depot.

Mr Welch said: “Already, the airport site employs 1,500 people from the area and this is set to grow substantially in the coming months. These are truly exciting times for the whole region and beyond.”

The airport and Southend Council expect a total of 6,700 new jobs to be created at the airport by 2020, largely from a new business park planned nearby between Aviation Way and Cherry Orchard Way.

Flights by easyJet to ten destinations in Europe and the British Isles start on April 2.