The owners of Southend Airport are considering selling the business as it was revealed the process of looking for the “right buyer” has begun.

In a statement this morning, a spokesman for Southend Airport confirmed the news.

They said: “Ultimately this will benefit our airline partners, customers, local stakeholders, and the region.

“Our parent company Esken is exploring a sale of London Southend Airport, and initial planning for this has already started.

“Esken will look for the right buyer with the capital to support our new management team and our ambitious growth prospects over the long term.”

This comes after Esken issued an update on its strategic review process and trading performance.

A spokesman for Esken stated: “The board has concluded that it is in the best interests of all stakeholders to secure the long-term potential of these businesses and deliver value for Esken shareholders through a managed disposal process.

“A sale process for Esken Renewables is currently in progress, with a number of interested parties involved in discussions.

“A decision has also been taken to explore a sale of the aviation business, primarily London Southend Airport, with initial planning for this phase having commenced.

“A key objective will be to find the right buyer with the capital to support the growth prospects of the airport over the long term and benefit airline partners, customers and local stakeholders.”

In January 2023, Southend Airport secured a multi-year partnership agreement with easyJet to operate from the Airport and announced it will operate a new route to Amsterdam. 

This will be the fourth destination easyJet serves from London Southend Airport, alongside Malaga, Majorca and Faro. 

The addition of the new Amsterdam route, alongside increased frequencies to Faro means the airline will now operate up to 18 weekly departures this summer - a 30 per cent increase compared with last summer.

Flying is scheduled to start for the summer season on 29 March 2023.