Owners Regional Airports seeks investor to realise plans for new terminal, railway station and hotel

Southend Airport has moved a step closer to becoming a significant London gateway after it launched a bid for new ownership.

The airport, which will become a transport hub for the Thames Gateway, has development plans in place for a new terminal, railway station, hotel and car park. There are also plans to extend the runway to allow larger planes to use the airport.

Regional Airports, Southend Airport鈥檚 current owner, said that securing a new investor would be essential for the airport鈥檚 next stage.

Chief executive Andrew Walters said: 鈥淲e have already invested a great deal in the airport鈥檚 infrastructure and have secured approval for exciting development plans. What is required now is for an owner with the required resources and expertise to realise fully the potential that we know is there.鈥�

The airport site is located within the Thames Gateway region and its current owners say it could be a transport hub for the Olympic Park in 2012.