By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 13:03, Monday, 09 July 2012

The Stobart Group, which owns London Southend Airport, has joined forces with Landmark Aviation to handle business jets this summer.

The partnership will see Landmark using the new business jet facilities at London Southend Airport, offering their customers access to the Olympic Park at Stratford and the city of London.

Stobart boss Andrew Tinkler says his group has invested £100 million and created 520 jobs at Southend Airport.

He wants to build a 394,000sq ft freight distribution centre at Carlisle Airport and resurface the runway for passenger flights and air freight.

City councillors deferred making a decision on Stobart’s planning application last week.

The proposals are likely to go back before councillors on Friday, August 3.

London Southend is the only UK airport with a direct mainline rail connection with the Games at Stratford – with up to eight trains per hour from the new railway station. The airport is also located on two major dual carriageways (A127 and A13) that lead to Stratford and on to central London.

The airport’s new facilities include conference rooms and a number of areas in which passengers and crew can relax.

They also offer direct access to an exclusive business jet parking area and form part of the £100m (US$150m) investment in the airport by the Stobart Group.

Alastair Welch, managing director of London Southend Airport, said: “We are very excited to be entering into this partnership with Landmark.

“Our shared passion for excellent customer service, plus the airport’s new facilities coupled with the global reach of the Landmark network means that London Southend is going to be introduced to a wide range of customers who will value the service and benefits we can offer over other London airports this summer.”

Dan Bucaro, chief executive of Landmark, said: “We look forward to introducing our clients to London Southend Airport and to ensuring they receive the best possible welcome and service when they fly to the UK this summer – whether for the Olympics or any other reason.

“We’ve seen the airport facilities first hand and believe that they represent something new and very special for the London area.”

Southend handled 45,000 passengers in 2011 but is on target to top one million this year. Improvements include a new terminal, which is already being extended, a railway station, new radar system and a control tower.

First published at 11:27, Monday, 09 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk