Southend Airport reopens to the public after deadly crash – with flights to restart
A Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft was flying to Lelystad in the
Netherlands
when it crashed shortly after taking off from the airport on Sunday afternoon.
2
London Southend Airport has reopened to the public
Credit: Getty
2
The airport has remained closed since Sunday
Credit: Louis Wood
Witnesses of the incident described seeing a "huge fireball" just before 4pm.
All four passengers onboard the flight were killed.
Other witnesses also shared hot the pilots had been waving a children shortly before the crash occurred.
The airport closed on Sunday following the incident and has remained fully closed until today.
Read more on Southend Airport
A spokesperson for the airport said: "
London
Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure.
"Four
easyJet
flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening.
"Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight.
"Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July 2025.
Most read in News Travel
"Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday.
"Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident
investigation
team as they carry out their work.
"Our airport staff and wider team are doing all they can to help during this incredibly difficult time, and will of course be on-hand to assist passengers as we return to service.
"The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support."
More to follow...
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The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Southend Airport reopens to the public after deadly crash – with flights to restart
LONDON Southend Airport will partially reopen today following a plane crash that occurred on Sunday, killing four people. A Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft was flying to Lelystad in the Netherlands when it crashed shortly after taking off from the airport on Sunday afternoon. 2 London Southend Airport has reopened to the public Credit: Getty 2 The airport has remained closed since Sunday Credit: Louis Wood Witnesses of the incident described seeing a "huge fireball" just before 4pm. All four passengers onboard the flight were killed. Other witnesses also shared hot the pilots had been waving a children shortly before the crash occurred. The airport closed on Sunday following the incident and has remained fully closed until today. Read more on Southend Airport A spokesperson for the airport said: " London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure. "Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening. "Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight. "Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July 2025. Most read in News Travel "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday. "Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work. "Our airport staff and wider team are doing all they can to help during this incredibly difficult time, and will of course be on-hand to assist passengers as we return to service. "The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
London's Southend Airport to remain closed after ‘fireball' crash
London Southend Airport will remain closed until further notice after a plane crashed in a 'fireball'. Essex Police said they were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday to 'reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane' at the airport, calling it a 'serious incident' although there has been no confirmation of the number of casualties. Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke coming up from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing a 'fireball'. Our thoughts are with those affected by today's events and all passengers impacted by this disruption Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been 'involved in an accident' at London Southend Airport. The statement said the company was 'actively supporting the authorities with the investigation', adding: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.' Zeusch Aviation's website says the plane can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. It has also been deployed for aerial mapping flights. The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad on Sunday night. The airport announced on Sunday night it was closed until further notice, with all arriving and departing flights cancelled. Passengers booked to travel on Monday are advised to contact their airline. There were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at the airport on Monday. Southend Airport said: 'Our thoughts are with those affected by today's events and all passengers impacted by this disruption. 'We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments.' EasyJet said the company's remaining flights to and from the airport had been 'diverted to alternative airports or are no longer able to operate', according to Sky. John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a 'big fireball' after the plane crashed 'head first into the ground'. Mr Johnson, from Billericay, told the PA news agency: 'We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. 'The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway. 'It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground. I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them 'There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.' He said he felt 'shaken up' and his thoughts were with the people on the plane and their loved ones. As a precaution, because of their proximity to the incident, police said they were evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club but rugby club chairman Pete Jones said it had not been necessary. A bartender at the golf club, which is next door to the airport, said he felt a 'big heat wave' before looking up to a 'massive fireball' in the sky. James Philpott told the BBC: 'I was just basically in a hut like in the middle of the course and I didn't even see any plane go down or anything and I just felt like a big heat wave come through and I looked up and there was just a massive fireball basically 100 foot in the sky. 'It was more the heat really just kind of hit me as I was sitting there, just like, feel like I'm baking.' He continued: 'I think everyone was just quite shocked to be honest. [social=twtter] 'People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything.' The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokeswoman said it has started an investigation into what happened, and a 'multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data' arrived at the crash site on Sunday. In a post on X, British transport secretary Heidi Alexander described the incident as 'tragic', adding that her 'thoughts are with all those involved' and that she was 'monitoring the situation and closely receiving regular updates'. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir and Basildon, along with off-road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended the incident. Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were also sent to the scene, the East of England Ambulance Service said. Posting on X, David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: 'I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. 'Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. 'My thoughts are with everyone involved.' Southend Airport said the incident involved a 'general aviation aircraft' and the airport was 'working closely with the local authorities'.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
All fights cancelled & Southend Airport closed ‘until further notice' after medical jet crashed to ground ‘head-first'
A MAJOR UK airport remains closed following a plane crash yesterday. Southend Airport has shut "until further notice" after a Advertisement 7 A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after a small plane crash Credit: Reuters 7 The Beech B200 was set to travel to the Netherlands Credit: UKNIP The Beech B200 Super King Air that was heading for Lelystad in the Netherlands, with an estimated departure time of 3.45pm. A statement last night added: "All flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident. "We ask that any passengers due to travel tomorrow (Monday) via London Southend Airport contact their airline for information and advice. "Our thoughts are with those affected by today's events and all passengers impacted by this disruption. Advertisement "We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments." It comes after reports of the The after crashing shortly after taking off from the strip in Essex. It was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients, although it is unclear whether a patient was onboard. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Witnesses described seeing a "huge fireball" just before 4pm, with Essex County Fire and Rescue called to the incident at 3.58pm. They said the Air India victims' families slam 'cover-up' probe as questions remain over possible engine switch confusion The twin-engined turboprop plane can carry around 12 people, although it has not been confirmed how many were in the plane at the time of the crash. John Johnson, who witnessed the crash with his family, said: "We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. Advertisement "The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway. "It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more of less inverted and "There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it. "All the kids saw it and the families saw it. I phoned 999, reported it." Advertisement He added: "I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. "I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them." 7 Locals reported seeing a huge plume of smoke following the crash Credit: UKNIP 7 Emergency services rushed to the scene Credit: Getty Advertisement 7 Video footage shows golfers running towards the incident which happened just before 4pm Credit: x A bartender at the nearby golf club, which was evacuated following the crash, said he felt "a big heat wave" before seeing a "massive fireball" in the sky. James Philpott "It was more the heat really just kind of hit me as I was sitting there, just like, feel like I'm baking." Advertisement He continued: "I think everyone was just quite shocked to be honest." London Southend Airport said in a previous statement: "We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft. "We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible." The cause of the crash is currently unknown. Advertisement A statement from Essex Police reads: "We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. "We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. "We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours." In an update Essex Police said that they have now opened a dedicated online portal and phone line for anyone with information. Advertisement They added: "Flights at the airport were quickly grounded to ensure work could immediately begin on extinguishing the flames as quickly as possible. "We have put a wide cordon in place to ensure all our emergency service colleagues can carry out their work safely, and we will be doing so overnight and into tomorrow morning." Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: 'In these very early stages it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex. 'Please help us keep our emergency lines open by using these specific channels if you're contacting us about this incident. Advertisement 'We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why." Essex Police asked the public to avoid the area, and also Read more on the Irish Sun Two fire crews from Southend, two from Rayleigh Weir and Basildon, and off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended the scene. The East of England Ambulance service announced that they had sent four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to the scene. Advertisement 7 The Beech B200 Super King Air can carry up to 12 passengers 7 Southend Airport remains closed Credit: Getty
