07 Feb Southend Airport named UK’s fastest-growing commercial airport
London Southend Airport (LSA) was the UK’s fastest-growing commercial airport in 2019, new data from the aviation watchdog has revealed.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data revealed that the number of passengers choosing Stobart Group-owned and operated LSA increased by 37.5% in the year.
This surpassed all other UK commercial airports, showing that LSA is growing at twice the rate of its nearest competitor as it reached a record high by exceeding two million passengers.
| Airport | Passengers | % Change of Passengers Same Period Last Year |
| London Southend Airport | 2,035,535 | 37.5 |
| Doncaster Sheffield Airport | 1,407,862 | 15.2 |
| City of Derry Airport | 203,777 | 9.7 |
| Sumburgh Airport | 267,420 | 8.8 |
| Luton Airport | 18,213,901 | 8.6 |
| Source: CAA, December 2019 | ||
The figures follow the release of LSA’s own survey, which showed that customers were using the train from London more and more to access the airport.
The poll, of more than 18,000 people between 3 December 2019 and 6 January 2020, found that out of the 47% of people that came to LSA by train, 69% said that they travelled from London.
The rise in London passengers travelling to LSA via train comes after the introduction of new early arrival and late departure trains being operated by Greater Anglia trains, with up to six services an hour to and from Liverpool Street station.
The growing number of people using the train also shows how the airport is progressing work on sustainable development and improving air quality.
Since the summer, LSA has welcomed Widerøe as a partner and launched new routes with key operators Ryanair, Flybe and Wizz Air. As well as its status as London’s fastest-growing airport, it has consistently been ranked London’s best airport by consumer group Which? over the past six years.
