At least 300 new jobs will be created if Southend Airport is allowed to carry out its expansion plans, it has been revealed.

But airport director Roger Campbell has warned that if the scheme is not allowed, large numbers of existing jobs will be lost "with all that entails for the individuals themselves, their families and the community."

Speaking at the Southend Business and Tourism Partnership, Mr Campbell said: "This whole issue is not about a major expansion of the airport, but for its survival because of safety requirements from the Civil Aviation Authority.

"We have had extensive consultations during the last year over the airport and the message we had is that people locally would love to see passenger flights back again."

Published Friday, January 17, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo