AIRPORT bosses in Southend have welcomed a new report which says a third runway should be built at Heathrow.

The long-awaited report by the Davies Commission was released yesterday with a recommendation that London’s airport capacity be increased via a third runway at Heathrow rather than Gatwick.

The recommendation comes less than a year since Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s proposal for a new airport in the Thames Estuary, which would most likely have led to the closure of Southend Airport, was rejected by the Airports Commission as “infeasibly expensive and hugely disruptive”.

Mr Johnson has since said the new Heathrow runway “will never be built,” echoing David Cameron’s “no ifs, no buts” pledge in 2009.

Nonetheless, Southend Airport’s interim managing director Jon Horne welcomed the commission’s report.

He said: “We welcome the publication of the recommendations made by the Davies Commission, but acknowledge this is just another step in the process.

“Government must now deal with this and make the appropriate decisions for the recommendations to be taken forward.

“Estimates have been given of between ten and 15 years before an additional runway will be in place and the airport capacity this delivers for the south east.

“Between now and then the airport capacity created for London through the £140million investment in London Southend Airport by Stobart Group will play its part in helping to support London and the region’s economy and its growth.”

Stobart Group, which bought the airport in 2008, was also praised by the report, as well as its growing connections with European businesses and holiday destinations, which recently saw the addition of routes to Menorca and Lyon.

Should the Government make an early decision, a third runway at Heathrow could open by 2026.

SOUTHEND IS PRAISED

A NEW rail network linking London with the South East of England could lead to further expansion of Southend Airport, according to the Davies Commission report.

As well as praising the airport’s extensive development since it was taken over by the Stobart Group, the report highlighted the potential future benefits of the Crossrail scheme linking up the Greater Anglia line with areas of the country as far as Gravesend and Reading.

It said: “The Crossrail scheme will present new opportunities for the airport, as it will connect its current terminal at Liverpool Street station to a wider London catchment.

“Network Rail has recognised that there will be significant growth at Southend Airport.

“The Commission is pleased to see the consultation on the West Anglia Route Study taking into account the future growth of the airport.”

The report also identified the new longer franchise being tendered for the Greater Anglia franchise next year as “an opportunity to support the airport’s aims of updating rolling stock and securing more early and late services.”

MENORCA'S CLOSER THAN EVER

PASSENGERS enjoyed paella and prosecco as they departed on the first flights from Southend Airport to Menorca.

Easyjet has started running twice-weekly toMahon, the capital of the Spanish sunshine island.

The airline is expecting to fly 500 passengers a week from Southend to the Balearic island, and to celebrate passengers could sample some treats befor jetting off.

Neil Slaven, UK commercial manager at easyJet, said: “We’re delighted to be adding Menorca to easyJet’s range of destinations from London Southend Airport. It was really exciting to see our first flight depart and highlights our commitment to providing affordable routes to summer destinations from the airport, but will also benefit inbound tourism.

“Our Spanish routes are proving extremely popular for those who wish to get some easy and affordable summer sun, and we’re sure that our new route will be no exception.”

It is the 14th route easyJet now operates from the airport with another new route from Southend Airport to Lyon starting in December.