Green light for expansion at Southend Airport

The Government has given the go ahead for an extended 300m runway at London Southport Airport as part of a 35 million pounds project.



Senior management have confirmed that timescales have been agreed, and the new runway could be viable as early as 2011, and definitely operating to full capacity for the 2012 Olympic Games.



The Airport will be able to accommodate larger aircraft, and it is thought that in excess of 6000 jobs will be created. A spokesman commented that the re-development was a fantastic opportunity for the area, and would boost opportunities and growth .



The work on a new link Road near Eastwoodbury Lane is due to commence in the summer, and once the access links to the Airport have been completed, the runway extension can be addressed.



Work has already begun on a new control tower, and more sophisticated navigation equipment will be put in place.



The Bank of London and the Middle East is provide a funding loan to the Stobart Group, who bought the Airport in 2008, which will cover two thirds of the total cost of the project, including a new railway station.



The Bank is known as the largest Islamic one in Europe and runs within the bounds of Sharia Law.



A spokesman stated that the major improvements at the airport would boost passenger numbers by a projected 2 million by 2020 and the opportunity would be there to create new European routes.



Discussions to attract new Airlines to the Airport are ongoing.