NEW flights have been announced from Southend Airport, flying from next spring.

Irish airline Aer Arann is preparing to begin operations on March 28.

The company plans to start flights to Waterford and Galway in the Irish Republic, with more destinations expected to be announced later next year.

The Stobart Group, which bought the airport in December 2008, agreed a five-year deal with Aer Arann to run flights for up to 300,000 people a year from Southend.

Andrew Kelly, the company’s director of corporate affairs, said: “At the moment we are currently in the process of looking at the possible routes we can have and working out what will be best.

“It is quite exciting to have Southend Airport on board and there is a good opportunity for us to work well with Southend and serve the north London area.

“We intend to branch out and offer more destinations in the future.”

Currently, Southend Airport runs commercial flights to destinations including the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, northern England and France.

The size of the runway means the type of aircraft that use the airport is restricted, but the 40 to 70-seat turboprop planes, operated by Aer Arann, will be able to fly there.

Jonathan Rayner, head of business development at Stobart Air, said: “It’s great to be in a strong position with a carrier which has a very strong presence in the Irish market, a great on-board product and excellent customer service.”