easyJet has announced it is accelerating the development of its London Southend base with the introduction of an additional aircraft to the three already based at Southend.

The airline has also announced two brand new routes – Berlin (Germany) and Krakow (Poland) - as part of its 2013 flight programme from the Essex airport.

easyJet will fly a year-round service to the key European business centre of Berlin, six times a week. In addition the airline will introduce a four times weekly service to Krakow. Both routes will start on 17 June 2013. Beyond that, additional capacity will be available on some of the existing routes which have proven highly popular this summer.

These two new routes bring the number of destinations served by easyJet from the airport to 13 - the airline already flies to Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Faro, Ibiza, Jersey, Majorca and Malaga from London Southend, with Geneva and Venice both starting soon. The new routes go on sale from Thursday 1 November at www.easyJet.com

Hugh Aitken, easyJet’s UK Commercial Manager says “Basing an additional aircraft in Southend is testament the airport’s success since we launched flights here and demonstrates our commitment to growing our presence here. Recent customer satisfaction research with our passengers has borne out what we had believed would make the airport a popular choice - its fast and convenient transport links and easy and quick transfer through the airport has made it a firm favourite with our passengers. easyJet is committed to making travel easy and affordable for all and I’m sure these two new city destinations are going to be a huge hit with holidaymakers as well as helping to serve demand from passengers travelling on business. ”

This easyJet news comes just days after it was announced work on an extension to the terminal at London Southend Airport - that will enable more than three hundred additional new, local jobs to be created - will get underway in early November. The £10 million extension is to ensure those high standards of service passengers are currently enjoying are not compromised as passenger numbers grow towards 2 million per year by 2020.  Work is due to be completed just before Christmas 2013.

London Southend Airport Managing Director Alastair Welch says “We are delighted that easyJet has chosen to accelerate its growth plans and to base another aircraft with us, which is evidence of their commitment to the airport and the success of our partnership.  I am sure these new routes will be extremely popular locally, and will further build on our growing reputation as an airport of choice for passengers inbound to Essex, London and the South East.”

He added “With the fantastic new London Southend Airport Holiday Inn now open, the terminal extension getting underway and now this further  announcement of expansion, there is a genuine sense of excitement amongst staff and visitors that the airport is really taking off. We look forward to welcoming more passengers to enjoy the unique airport experience we offer here at London Southend.”