London Southend airport owner Stobart Group has seen a sharp rise in profits.
The group made £10.8 million before tax in the six months to August, up from £0.6 million in the same period last year, the News and Star reports.
Underlying profits rose 252% from £4.6 million to to £16.2 million and turnover was 13% higher at £65.3 million.
Chief executive Andrew Tinkler said: “Stobart has continued to work towards delivering its clear targets for its three growth divisions – energy, aviation and rail.”
He said that the company was pleased to be working with Irish airline CityJet to add new flights at the group’s London Southend airport.
The deal could add 18 destinations bringing up to 600,000 additional passengers the Essex airport.
The group said the EU referendum result had had “a short-term impact” on business development in its aviation division, with some airlines delaying further investment in its UK operations.
But it remains confident that anticipated growth in passenger volumes at Southend remains on track as easyJet and CityJet launch new routes.