UK-based logistics firm Stobart Group has outlined its proposed operational plans for London Southend wherein its Stobart Air (Dublin International) unit will expand its existing franchise contract with flybe. (2002) (Exeter).

In a filing to the London Stock Exchange (LSE), the firm said Southend's new routes to Lyon St. Exupéry, Milan Malpensa, Budapest, Cologne/Bonn, Venice Marco Polo, Prague Václav Havel, Reus, Vienna, Dubrovnik, Figari, Perpignan, and Zadar would roll out during May 2017.

"The confirmation of new routes from London Southend Airport further builds on the strategic growth platform we have created in Stobart Group's Aviation Division," Andrew Tinker, Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Group, said. "This is part of the next stage of our strategy to build new passenger routes at London Southend Airport, capitalising on the growing demand in the South East."

The new routes will be served with a pair of E175s which will compliment an ATR72-600 already based out of Southend for Stobart Air's existing Flybe routes to Caen, Groningen, and Rennes.