I know PitR is just stirring up the mud in the bottom of our little pond, and it's a point that's been done to death, but it's worth reiterating that Southend is 38 miles from Marble Arch whilst Oxford is 51 miles. Stansted is 36 miles away, Luton 32 miles and Gatwick 25 miles. So in one way none of these can be called London airports, but, in another way, they can (with the exception of Oxford). Who cares? IATA recognise SEN as a London airport and plenty of Londoners use it.