Southend Airport is pursuing a London and Essex route gap after a "curious" coincidence.

The airport is targeting Groningen after a coincidence during its "Mental Elf" charity fundraiser has encouraged business development director Nigel Mayes to pursue the route gap.

In December 2022, the airport opened its runway to more than 100 people as part of the festive fundraiser.

A total of 104 participants ran 197 laps of the runway, and Mr Mayes noticed the combined distance of the runners, 702km, was almost the same distance as Southend to Groningen, Netherlands, via public transport, 703km.

He told Airline Routes and Ground Services magazine: "It’s curious to hear that the distance completed by our charity runners is only one kilometre shorter than the distance from London Southend to Groningen.

"Perhaps it’s destination destiny given the historical success of the route from London Southend."

Southend offered Flybe flights to Groningen Airport from 2014 to 2020 and served more than 180,000 passengers.

At its peak in 2018, Flybe had up to 18 departures per week. The airline has since gone into administration.

There is currently no direct service between London and Groningen this year, further encouraging Mr Mayes to pursue this route.

Southend Airport has confirmed with the Echo that Groningen is a "target destination".

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