A proposed extension to the new terminal at London Southend Airport, which will create more than 300 new jobs, has been given the go-ahead by Rochford Council.
The first phase of the terminal became operational in February and phase two will boost capacity for the airport, which is expecting to handle two million passengers a year by 2020.
It will extend the terminal building by 90 metres, allowing for more check-in desks and baggage drop off points and more security screening channels.
The airport claims it currently takes no more than four minutes for departing passengers to pass through security while arriving passengers can make it from the plane to the train within 15 minutes of disembarking.
That’s in stark contrast to Heathrow, where passengers reportedly waited more than two hours to clear immigration earlier this month.
London Southend Airport managing director Alastair Welch said: "We are very pleased that Rochford Council has indicated they support this extension, which will ensure that we are able to maintain the high levels of customer service we intend to be the hallmark of London Southend Airport as our passenger numbers grow.
"This is also further evidence of the role the redeveloped airport is playing in supporting the regeneration of the wider economy."
Construction work on the extension is planned to get underway later this year.
