Southend Airport is re-opening its doors to passengers tomorrow following several false starts due to lockdown.

The terminal was temporarily closed due to the latest lockdown and after five months the team is looking forward to welcoming passengers back for its first 2021 flight.

Bosses say the passenger flights resume with new safety measures and investments and there’s a private onsite test facility now available.

Twice weekly Portugal flights scheduled with hope of further ‘green’ destinations.

Airport bosses also say the terminal is packed with new measures to protect passengers and employees, its usual ‘quick and easy’ experience is set to continue with investments enhancing the terminal journey.

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Glyn Jones, chief executive of Southend Airport, said: “Investments have been made to further improve our customer experience, from new safety measures to the trial lane within security and hold baggage X-ray systems. The team have worked extremely hard preparing for a safe restart, delivering confidence to our colleagues and customers. As London’s most modern airport, the terminal design and space supports social distancing, there are no transfer buses, parking is a short walk and queuing kept to a minimum, we are also working to ensure that passenger crossover from flights is prevented.”

Whilst passenger flights were temporarily on hold, cargo operations and training flights continued supporting recency training. A reduced schedule is available initially, including twice weekly flights to Faro building to ten movements each week. At this time latest flight information is available via airlines directly.

Mr Jones added: “We anticipate a steady start, with Portugal the only real option under the green list currently, pent up demand is still being held until more routes open up. We have some amber destinations operated under Government travel guidance and hope to see more destinations becoming green soon.”

The airport has called for clarity throughout the pandemic and reminds it passengers to check the latest guidance, both from UK Government and at your destination prior to travel.

All destinations, regardless of status under the UK traffic light system, require travel certificates in order to travel. The airport has collaborated with Prenetics to offer onsite PCR testing; samples are collected onsite with valid travel certificates and results provided within 24 hours from when your sample arrives at the lab.

Consistently voted as London’s best airport by Which? And recognised for joint fastest security queues, the airport naturally lends itself to a safer experience and a smarter choice.