Bosses at Southend Airport insist the collapse of Flybe will categorically not impact on their huge expansion plans.

Airport chiefs say they will not be deterred from their long-term goal of achieving 20 million passengers per year.

They also remain on track to hit the airport’s current full passenger capacity - between 5 million and 6 million per year - by 2023, as well as enhancing the runway to take both Boeing 737-800 and Airbus 321 aircraft.

And bosses confirmed to the Echo that the plans will not be affected by the collapse of the regional airline and the airport’s long term prospects remain “compelling”.

A spokesman for Stobart Aviation added: “Flybe passengers accounted for 125,000 people last year, while the airport served more than 2 million passengers.”

Flybe’s collapse comes months after Glyn Jones, chief executive at Stobart Aviation, which owns Southend Airport, outlined long-term plans to build a brand new arrivals terminal with a capacity for 7 million passengers per year while the departures terminal will be upgraded to have the same space.

Plans were also announced for a new multi-storey car park, with space for between 2,500 and 3,000 cars.

Daniel Cowan, councillor of the St Laurence ward, told the Echo: “Those who live nearby may be pleased at the drop in operations and in a reduction of flights.

“There are issues with the future of aviation in general. There will now be a loss of connectivity across the UK.

“Flybe’s cancellations shouldn’t affect the other airlines.

“There may be a loss of businesses and revenue as passengers may need to use other airports in London or elsewhere.

“The closure has come as a shock.

“I feel sorry for the staff and passengers at Flybe who have lost their jobs.”

Flybe have urgently told passengers that they should not fly with the airline “until they have arranged alternative flights with other airlines”.