Work on an extension to the terminal at London Southend Airport will get underway in early November. The first of three phases is a new arrivals facility, scheduled to be ready at the end of May 2013. The final phase is to be completed just before Christmas 2013. 
Phase 1 of the light and airy, fly-through terminal became operational on 28th February 2012 and is less than 100 paces from the new railway station. Passengers flying out from the airport will wait for a maximum of four minutes for security, while those arriving with just hand luggage can expect to travel from plane to train within 15 minutes of leaving the aircraft.
The new Phase 2 extension is to ensure that these standards of passenger service are not compromised as passenger numbers grow towards two million per year by 2020. This extension will cost around £10 million to complete.
The terminal building will become 90 metres longer. The number of check in desks / baggage drop off points will increase, as will the amount of space for passengers in security. The Departure Lounge will be increased in size, while a larger Arrivals area will have enhanced baggage reclaim facilities and a larger immigration area. Retail and catering facilities will be expanded throughout the terminal in order to provide a much wider range of shops and services.
Alastair Welch, London Southend Airport Managing Director, said: “Our aim is to ensure that we deliver a very special level of customer service in Southend and this extension will allow us to ensure we can continue to deliver those high standards as the airport grows. This is also further evidence of the role the redeveloped airport is playing in supporting the regeneration of the wider Essex economy.”
