Aircraft maintenance
Local companies such as ATC Lasham, Inflite (aircraft maintenance), Avionicare (aircraft avionics) and Air Livery (specialist aircraft painters) have successfully drawn airlines and aircraft owners from all over the world who fly to the airport to benefit from local skills and expertise.
The airport is now beginning to build upon this solid base. Southend and Rochford Councils, Thames Gateway and the Government-backed regeneration company, Renaissance Southend have identified the airport as a key part of regeneration in Southend.
Current Projects
A new railway station for Southend Airport
Detailed planning permissions were granted in 2004 for a new on-site airport railway station, replacement terminal building and new car park. The station is due to open in December 2009 and would be in addition to the existing stations at Rochford and Prittlewell.
The railway station will enable in-bound passengers to use the fast and frequent services direct to Stratford for Docklands and Canary Wharf, and to central London’s Liverpool Street Station, making the airport more attractive for commercial airlines. This will also reduce the need to travel to the airport by car, reducing road traffic.
We are at the very last stages of technical approval for the railway station with Network Rail and have agreed timescales with them for work to take place during 2009. While the programme is tight, we are on target to open the new station in late 2009 and we will be calling on the expertise of Stobart Rail for much of the infrastructure work.
Terminal refurbishment
Refurbishment of the existing terminal building has taken place over the past few months. We now have an extended departure lounge with new café and more check-in desks for passengers when they arrive at the airport. In the near future we will be making further improvements to our popular coffee shop and the business jet passenger facility.
Southend Airport hotel
Southend Council’s Development Control Committee granted outline planning permission in October 2007 for a new four-star 130-bedroom hotel. The hotel, likely to be operated by Ramada, will cost £6.5m and include a restaurant, bar and conference facilities.
The airport is at the last stages of concluding arrangements with Ramada for the construction and opening of a brand new 130 bed hotel which is currently scheduled to start on site in Spring 2009 and open in mid 2010.
Airport control tower
A new control tower is proposed for the airport, creating a new building in a better position to have a view of the whole airport and operating facilities. The location has been agreed and construction of the tower is scheduled to start in late 2009.
Additional projects completed in 2008
In addition to our previously published plans, behind the scenes infrastructure is also getting a makeover. The airport has completely replaced the fuelling infrastructure, installing four new state-of-the-art airport fuel tanks and dispensing systems to ensure a high quality well controlled environment for fuel.
In addition we have resurfaced a major part of a taxiway, installed new runway access safety equipment, built a new secure car park for a further 200 cars and made changes to the airport layout, improving safety.
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