PLANE spotters have been asked to keep their distance when the Red Arrows return to Southend Airport this summer.

Southend Airport will again play host to the Red Arrows when it is used as base for the planes featuring in the Eastbourne and Folkestone airshows.

They will be joined by the Typhoon Display Team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

This is the second year after a successful visit last year saw dozens of people turn our to catch a glimpse of the planes.

But the airport has confirmed this year it will not hold any events or offer ramp tours to aviation fans.

The airport said this is due to safety precautions and growth in their commercial operations with airline partner easyJet.

A spokesman said: “Public safety is of the utmost importance, as is maintaining and adhering to strict safety and security regulations around the aircraft and airfield.”

They added: “This is purely from a security perspective. It was fantastic last year, and we all very much enjoyed it, but it was organised very last minute.

“Now this year, where we have a lot more flights - with the aircrafts being very valuable and very important, and the risk of inviting people onto the ramp, we just can’t facilitate it this year which is unfortunate.”

Airport bosses say people can still view the aircraft from the car park but asked onlookers to not litter at the site but to either take rubbish home with them or throw it in the bins provided.

They also asked people to not put any ladders up on the perimeter fence line or they will be asked politely to take them down.

Southend Airport is reiterating that this is not a mini-airshow and the aircrafts are only being stationed there.

The Red Arrows will be stationed at the airport at around mid to late August and specific dates cannot be disclosed at this time.

Any other inquires or information regarding London Southend Airport, view the airport’s social media pages @ londonsouthendairport on Facebook, Instagram and @SouthendAirport on Twitter.