EasyJet to have new Spanish routes from Southend Airport

An airline has said it will operate new flights, mainly to Spain and its islands, from Essex's Southend Airport.

From April 2012 EasyJet will run routes to Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga and Majorca. Other routes are Belfast, Amsterdam and Faro in Portugal.

Catherine Lynn, from EasyJet, said: "The airport is just outside London with a fast rail link into the city."

Airport managing director Alastair Welch said the new routes were a further step in its development.