News that easyJet is to fly from Southend is brilliant and a coup for the airport.

Now perhaps all those who said it would never happen will stay quiet and look forward to what can only be a tremendous boost for the town.

All we need now is for the justice system to silence those in our community who can only object to every development which comes along.

I live about a mile from the airport and am delighted at the prospect of going on holiday from my local airport.

Just watch all those who signed the petitions against it queuing up to board their flights to some great destinations.

Of course, Lib Dem councillor Graham Longley has to make a negative comment.

Had he been council leader he would have been shouting with joy at the news, as he did when he told us a few years ago that, thanks to him, “the magic has returned to the Kursaal”.

Well, the Tesco Express store which is about all that’s left there is a great advertisement.

Well done Southend Airport for achieving a remarkable boost for all of us.

Ron Price
Hobleythick Lane
Westcliff

...Isn’t it great news about easyJet coming on board our airport?

No? It will mean quite a few flights droning across our houses, heading for Spain and Portugal, and I think that’s great.

In these times of hardship, what better for the town with city aspirations than some vibrancy, albeit with the noise pollution and racket that comes with aircraft movements?

I live under the flight path and can now set my watch as I sit in my garden at around 8.25pm as Aer Arann’s flights arrive and depart for Ireland.

Their planes are lightweight, almost noiseless and quite charming in their arrival and exit.

I think easyJet, too, will come and go almost unnoticed with its modern Airbus airliners.

The anti-airport movement luddites use the most minute detail to give their cause gravitas, for example the crumbling wall at St Lawrence Church, due for removal on health and safety grounds.

Most of my kin are buried in this churchyard and if it helps the town, then go for it and blow the manky old church wall.

I worked at the airport and love planes and welcome the sight and smell of them.

We have to accept the whole package and delight that our town will prosper.

Trevor Murdin
Flemming Crescent
Leigh

...I am an avid aviation fan and sadly missed the arrival of easyJet’s Airbus for a photocall at Southend Airport.

My wife, however, watched it banking over Benfleet and was thrilled to see it.

Significantly, she remarked upon how quiet the plane was. Well done Southend.

Rodney Cousins
Manor Road
Thundersley

...I was told Southend Council is to drastically reduce the height of the trees in the millennium park and the oaks at the bottom of Exeter Avenue.

Also included is an oak in the adjoining nursery, all more than 100 years old.

The reason is because of Southend Airport’s flight path. As some of the trees are only 20ft high, how low are the planes going to be?

I don’t fancy the chances of the people in Bridgwater Drive, Blenheim Chase and Dulverton Avenue.

Tony Hall
Westborough Road
Westcliff