EasyJet has announced it is opening a UK base at London Southend airport in Essex, a decision that will “create about 130 jobs”.
The move will also see six new flight routes created, including to Turkey and Tunisia.
It will be EasyJet’s tenth airbase in the UK.
London Southend says the move is “indicative of the demand [for air travel] from people in East Anglia”.
The base, which will open in March 2025 and will have three aircraft kept at the airport, follows in the footsteps of the base at Birmingham International Airport, which opened in March of this year.
The Southend Airport base will see pilots and cabin crew recruited, as well as additional staff indirectly involved in the operation.
Johan Lundgren, the chief executive of EasyJet, said: “We are delighted to be announcing another three-aircraft base in the UK. This will create hundreds of jobs and provide more choice for consumers with new routes and package holidays.”
John Upton, the chief executive of London Southend Airport, said: “This move is indicative of the demand from people in the east of London, Essex and the wider East Anglia region who now have greater opportunities to choose to travel through our well connected, quick and easy airport.”
This comes as it emerges Mr Lundgren will step down in 2025 after seven years at the helm as it reported improved half-year losses.
The carrier said Mr Lundgren, who became chief executive in December 2017, will leave early next year and will be succeeded by chief financial officer Kenton Jarvis, who has been with the group since February 2021.
Details of the planned change at the top came as the group reported a headline pre-tax loss of £350 million for the six months to March 31, narrowed from losses of £411 million a year ago, and forecast strong profits growth for the full year.
EasyJet chairman Sir Stephen Hester said: “We are sad that Johan will retire from easyJet.
“He has done an excellent job as our chief executive since December 2017, steering the company through the immense challenges of the Covid period, and setting up a clear strategy and strong execution plan.”