THE Transport Secretary will officially open Southend Airport’s new terminal extension next week.

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, will open the £10million extension on Monday.

The opening is the finale of a six-year, £120 million revamp of the airport by owners the Stobart Group.

Airport operations director David Lister and Stobart Group chief executive officer Andrew Tinkler will lead Mr McLoughlin on a tour of the airport.

The MP will then meet representatives from all the major airlines operating from the airport, local MPs, councillors and officers from Southend Council and Rochford District Council, local business leaders and residents’ associations during a reception in the terminal extension, where a commemorative plaque will be unveiled.