London, Southend

[joehunt]

Hi Guys

Any good info on Southend?

I know a company thinking of basing a jet in London for the summer. Farnborough is out as there are severe restrictions.

If anyone could let me know parking, landing charges, drive times from central London etc., of the top of their heads would be a great help. Believe they are 24/7

Luton is getting a bit "cluttered" I think.

I do realise I should contact them directly and will but just been asked this question and am a long way from the UK at the moment.

[HZ123]

A number of biz jets use SEN including Ford's shuttle oper to CGN. There is plenty of space and the airfield is 24 hour with good wx conditions all year. Journey from central London is dependent on traffic volumes and on a good run, between the hours of 0700 -1900 you would be lucky to do the journey in under 90 minutes. During these hours the Southend arterial road can also be a problem. that said the airport has had bits of the terminal refurbished and is making slow progressive improvements, that may include a railway station next year. It is at present up for sale with a 130 year lease left but it also is reputed to require 30 millions to be spent and increase runway length.

[joehunt]

Thanks guys for the info. Much appreciated and will follow up.

JH

[Toxic Thrust]

Southend is indeed one of the only 24/7 airfields in the London area with unrestricted access. Certainly plenty of room there, though few people seem to have cottoned on to it yet.

The airport operator provide a basic FBO service. They have recently invited proposals for someone to build a full service FBO facility.

Compared to the likes of FAB/LTN/STN landing, handling and parking charges are at giveaway rates

As for journey times it depends where in London you are heading really. The A13 is a much better road than it was many years ago and offers more direct access to the City. Journey times are longer than FAB/LTN/STN though maybe only half an hour or so. Shear volume of traffic and lack of access at some business jet gateways in the London area will dictate if that becomes an acceptable pain

Oh and if the guy you fly has a few million to spare Southend Airport is up for sale on a lengthy lease!

[girt big un]

southend is a great place for your aircraft . FAB and BQH have restrictions where as SEN is open 24/7 and even christmas day if you need it ( PPR though )
Smal FBO but all friendly and ramp access not a problem .

go for it

mike jenvey where have you got your times from ???
LHR is 75 odd miles and 1h20 outside rush hour during its usually 2h15 ..
but then if you wanted to go that area you would use Northolt or FAB ..
Sen to tower bridge is 32 miles and approx 1hour as the new a13 is good .

train from rochford to london liverpool steet( 5 mins by can from sen terminal ) is 40 minutes .

[Grasscarp]

Heathrow to Southend

As someone who has often done this drive at all times of the day, it usually takes 1 hour 40 minutes. This is junction 14 of M25 going round the northern section until the A127. (forget going southerly as if blockage on the QE2 crossing you are in trouble).
Have done it in less than this in the early hours of the morning, and around 2 hours in busier times.
Southend ATC very pleasant and helpful all hours of the day and night.

[AircraftOperations]

SEN has no jet-ban or night time PPR in my experience.

Maybe you need to give a heads-up to ensure you get handled promptly.

I would have to say that this would be the next "London" aerodrome to handle a big increase in exec traffic as the others fill up and excitement towards 2012 grows.

[SENFLYER]

FBO Bids

SEN is great for Bizjets compared to all other London Airports; No slots, lower cost handling, plenty of parking and H24.

Only downside no real FBO, so limited services and basic passenger/crew services facilities. But side to side aircraft to helicopter transfer from SEN to Battersea and your VIP Pax would never know.

Anyone have any ideas on who bidded for the FBO?

[Pace]

Kudos based at Southend Hangar 2 have two Large Hangars. They are a great bunch of people and Hangar /operate a number of aircraft and Helicopters.

They have good corporate facilities and reception areas and can deal with flight planning etc.
The other beauty with the Kudos situation is that they are on the other side of the airfield from their Hangars its a couple of hundred yards straight onto the main runway.

Trains run to Southend from Liverpool street Fairly central London about every 20 minutes and take 45 minutes.

If you need more come back to me

Pace

[panjandrum]

And in the interest of balance, there is Southend Handling run by the airport company who also do a very good job, and 247 Jet also based; Handling is NOT compulsory either, if you like to do your own thing. Oh, and there are quite a few hangars here.

[joehunt]

Thanks pace and all the others.

Afraid the Southend runway is a little short for their a/c, to take a decent load out and in, considering public transport operations.

Shame they never extended the runway, as I think that is what has "killed" Southend really. Maybe soon with the olympics coming, things will change.

[Expressflight]

A runway extension of 250m is on the cards, depending on the outcome of the current sale of SEN and the local authorities' joint study on the airport's future due out in July.
A number of quality FBO's apparently bid for the SEN 'franchise', but a decision has been put on hold until the sale of the airport is complete for obvious reasons.
By the way joehunt, which aircraft type were you looking for a home for
this summer?

[joehunt]

Expressflight

Thanks. Check your PM's.

[The Bunny]

And in the interest of balance, there is Southend Handling run by the airport company who also do a very good job

That would be the lot who dropped a KingAir on it's tail, bungling around with the forklift, panjandrum?

[Flintstone]

And in the interest of balance, there is Southend Handling run by the airport company who also do a very good job

That would be the lot who dropped a KingAir on it's tail, bungling around with the forklift, panjandrum?

Tricky business, balancing.

[The Bunny]

When it's being done by the fire crew who haven't had adequate training on operating a forklift, yes.
Though I am sure Southend will be keen to address issues with handling.

[Life's a Beech]

Panjandrum

"and 247 Jet also based"

I take it you're not very current with the situation at Southend, then?

[HeliAl]

Hassle free, 1mile closer to Battersea than Farnbourgh, Therefore heli transfer 12-15mins to Batt. A-13 now a good road to the buisness end of town 40-50min max. Trains from 2 good london connections (Liverpool St & Fenchurch) 45-50mins to town.

Cheaper parking, Hangerage available, Friendly new hotel going up. 24/7 best weather in country only lost 4 days last year due to weather.

Less slot restrictions and plenty of maintenance including avionics.

Worth a look!!

[heliboy999]

Has there been any more interest in EGMC now that it seems to be expanding and improving?

[trevs99uk]

There is a lot of building working ongoing at present.
The new tower is built but will take several month to fit out and then get CAA approval.
New railway station looking good and should open December. Train every 20mins to Central london taking about 45 mins.

New terminal work starts next week.
Airport hotel work start soon.

Runway extention starting soon ILS has been shutdown for several month whilst building work goes on in that area. And a new road built.
Runway will have centre light lighting, ILS cat2.
New radar + secondary also on order.
IRVR due december.

There is talk of a FBO being set up and recent plans show 2 large corporate hangars.

trevor