Southend airport: easyJet rerouting flights after turboprop crashes shutting airport
James ChappleSouthend airport is to remain closed after a turboprop aircraft crashed on Sunday afternoon (13 July) and burst into flames, killing all four on board.
EasyJet, which has three based aircraft at Southend, pre-emptively cancelled several return flights scheduled for Monday in advance on Sunday and is operating the remainder of the of Monday’s schedule from alternative London airports.
In an update on Monday afternoon, it was announced the airport would remain closed until further notice while investigations are carried out and wreckage of the Beech B200 aircraft removed. Police said four people, all thought to be foreign nationals, were killed in the crash.
EasyJet will operate its Southend schedule from Gatwick and Luton while the Essex airport remains shut.
Images and video from the scene published in the national media show a large fireball erupt from the airfield and a column of black smoke.
Essex Police has confirmed a 12-seater aircraft crashed shortly after taking off just after 4pm on Sunday.
All passengers due to travel via Southend airport have been advised to contact their airline for information and advice.
Three morning departures from Southend, easyJet flights to Palma, Malta and Pisa, have been cancelled. The remainder of Southend’s Monday schedule had been showing as "on time", although departures page on the Southend website was wiped shortly before 8am.
And easyJet spokesperson told TTG: “As London Southend airport remains closed today [Monday], three return flights this morning were cancelled in advance and we are operating the remainder of today’s flying programme via alternative London airports.
“We are doing all we can to help customers rearrange their plans and have contacted them directly with options to rebook or receive a refund. We continue to work closely with the airport to understand when operations are able to resume."
The BBC reports the aircraft was operated by Zeusch Aviation and was returning to the Netherlands where it is based when it crashed.
This article is being updated as new information is received.
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