Southend Airport sees profits fall despite rapid growth
Southend Airport has retained its position as the fastest growing airport in Europe but it needs to do more to improve profitability, said chief executive Andrew Tinkler today after parent company Stobart Group revealed earnings from its aviation division fell from £400,000 to £100,000 last year.
Passenger numbers grew 38% to over one million and a newly completed terminal extension raised its capacity to five million.
To stimulate further growth, the airport has entered into a new partnership with low-cost carrier Flybe to launch a new airline, Stobart Air, which will use two Flybe aircraft to launch six new routes to Europe.
"We understand the importance of building new routes and new partnerships to help increase passenger numbers in line with our predictions," said Tinkler.
"We aim to grow again in the year ahead and this passenger growth should drive our various revenue streams at the airport. Despite our passenger growth, there is still work to be done to improve profitability with renewed focus on revenue per passenger and controlling costs."
The company said it was continuing to develop plans for Carlisle Lake District Airport, but these remain dogged by ongoing challenges around planning.
"The airport remains a key priority for development by our local authority partners who are aiming to increase inbound international visitor numbers to Cumbria and the Lake District," added Tinkler.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports