easyJet will reopen its base at Southend Airport in Essex next week, five years after it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The return of a permanent base for the budget airline in Southend-on-Sea on Monday, March 31, will provide locals with a range of new holiday routes as well as create over 100 jobs in the area. The international airport will introduce flights to a range of new destinations this summer, bringing its total number of routes up to 20 - with new additions including direct links to Pisa, Gran Canaria, Marrakech and Malta.

And easyJet's new base in Southend is now set to become a permanent home to three of the provider's planes, something a spokesperson said would enable them to "handle [an] expected increase in passengers" from Monday. "Our terminal facilities are prepared, including our revamped executive lounge alongside our restaurants and bar," they told the Southend Echo.

Southend Airport saw a substantial dip in passenger numbers during the coronavirus pandemic, dropping by around 90% and forcing easyJet to close its local base.

The travel hub also recorded £21.5 million in losses during the lockdown period - although bosses have worked hard to turn the downwards trend around in the years since, with Southend now ranking among the UK's fastest-growing commercial airports.

A renewed presence on the edge of Essex will also mark another step towards normality for easyJet, which suffered its first-ever loss amid the travel restrictions of 2020.

The European provider opened another base at Birmingham International Airport last March, with CEO Johan Lundgren crediting its status as the biggest airline in the UK to "our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares".

John Upton, CEO of Southend Airport, added: "We are thrilled to welcome an easyJet base to Southend, supporting and creating hundrds of jobs locally as well as convenient, new and returning connections to many popular leisure and city destinations.

"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."