HOLIDAYMAKERS are piling the pressure on easyJet to add extra routes from Southend Airport after hotly-anticipated plans to add Alicante flights were not included in the airline’s newly-announced summer schedule.

The budget airline will once again be flying to Faro, Malaga and Majorca from Southend throughout the peak holiday season in 2023.

easyJet has operated flights to all three destinations throughout this summer, and Southend Airport had hinted at additional flights to Alicante, in Spain, next year.

But no new routes were announced yesterday when the 2023 schedule was unveiled, much to the frustration of holidaymakers.

Former councillor Roger Hadley, 73, from Mountbatten Drive, Shoebury, said: “I am exceptionally disappointed.

“We like to use the airport as it’s so easy and would love to see Alicante flights brought back.

“It was the most successful route from the airport and I don’t know why its not been brought back.

“We really need to see new routes as we’ve got so few currently that I am concerned about the future of the airport. I don’t think it can keep going financially unless it bring back more routes.”

Read more >> easyJet responds to calls to add Alicante route from Southend

easyJet is the only airline to return to Southend Airport following the Covid pandemic, having closed its base there in 2020.

Ryanair and Wizz Air had also run services from the airport, but pulled out due to the impact of Covid travel restrictions.

Adam Ball, 47, of Shakespeare Drive, Westcliff, said: “I think we do need more routes - perhaps one or two - and hopefully we get an announcement a little nearer the summer.

“I would like to see Alicante, the Canary Island and maybe even Turkey.”

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for tourism, added: “It’s a shame to have anticipation and not have new routes delivered but it could be they are working on deals which are not officially agreed yet.

“I think everyone is concerned about airports like ours taking a huge hit and it is a big outlet and business for us. It would be nice to know what the future looks like.”