Southend is an Essex airport on the Thames estuary, under 40 miles from central London, with a dedicated Jet Centre open daily from 0600 to 0230. Private jet charter at Southend Airport also has customs on site round the clock, with pre-clearance offered by the Jet Centre.
The 1,856 metre runway is listed as suitable for private jets, and the Jet Centre lists round-the-clock handling support. Charter-A arranges the aircraft, the PPR and the mandatory handling, and confirms night-flying and customs details with you before you travel, subject to availability. A station beside the terminal offers trains to London.
Flying privately from Southend
The Jet Centre runs 0600 to 0230 daily all year. The airport is open 24 hours, but use between 2200 and 0630 is subject to prior permission from ATC. Night restrictions apply between 2300 and 0630: quieter aircraft only, and private helicopters are not permitted at night.
Customs is on site H24, with immigration and pre-clearance at the Jet Centre. The dedicated FBO terminal has lounges and direct ramp access for vehicles, plus helicopter transfers. Flights are strictly PPR and handling is mandatory for non-based aircraft over 2.5 tonnes. The runway is 05/23, 1,856 metres.
London Southend airport guide
A one-page Charter-A information sheet to keep or pass to your driver: runway, hours, customs, handling and where to arrive.
Download the PDF (383 KB)London Southend Airport at a glance
| Location | London Southend Airport, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6YF |
|---|---|
| Codes | ICAO EGMC · IATA SEN |
| Region | London & East of England (Essex), England, United Kingdom |
| Nearest city | central London — under 40 miles; helicopter under 12 min; rail 53 min to Liverpool Street from the station beside the terminal |
| Opening hours | Jet Centre operational daily 06:00–02:30 local, year-round; airport 24 hours but use 22:00–06:30 subject to prior permission from ATC; night restrictions 23:00–06:30 (quieter aircraft only; private helicopters not at night) |
| Customs & immigration | Yes – on site (H24; the Jet Centre offers on-site immigration and customs with pre-clearance) |
| Runway | 05/23 – 1,856 m × 36 m asphalt (grooved) |
| Private jets | Yes — 1,856 m runway; dedicated Jet Centre with 24/7 handling support |
| Handling / FBO | London Southend Jet Centre (FBO) |
| Private terminal | London Southend Jet Centre – dedicated FBO terminal with lounges, direct ramp access for vehicles (plane to car in under two minutes) and helicopter transfers |
| Prior permission | Required (PPR) — Charter-A arranges this for every flight |
| Airport website | londonsouthendairport.com |
Details checked 29 September 2026 against the airport’s own published information (londonsouthendjetcentre.com, londonsouthendairport.com, aurora.nats.co.uk). Hours, customs and handling are reconfirmed for every flight at booking.
Why fly to Southend
Southend-on-Sea sits on the Thames estuary in Essex, under 40 miles from central London. A helicopter takes under 12 minutes, and the train from the station beside the terminal reaches London Liverpool Street in 53 minutes. A Holiday Inn stands on site. The estuary coast, Leigh-on-Sea and Essex's beaches are nearby, and the Jet Centre can arrange helicopter transfers into the capital.
Private jet flight times from Southend
| To | Distance | Light jet | Midsize or heavy jet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 170 nm · 320 km | 45 min | 40 min |
| Geneva | 385 nm · 710 km | 1 hr 20 min | 1 hr 10 min |
| Nice | 545 nm · 1,010 km | 1 hr 50 min | 1 hr 35 min |
| Palma de Mallorca | 725 nm · 1,350 km | 2 hr 20 min | 2 hr |
| Málaga | 920 nm · 1,710 km | 2 hr 55 min | 2 hr 25 min |
| Edinburgh | 300 nm · 560 km | 1 hr 05 min | 1 hr |
Approximate airborne times in still air, worked out from the great-circle distance. Routing, winds and the aircraft chosen change them on the day; your quote gives the planned time for your flight.
Which aircraft?
Charter-A matches the aircraft to the runway, the number of passengers and how far you are flying. For UK and near-European sectors from Southend that usually means one of the turboprops, very light jets or light jets; longer flights and larger groups step up to midsize jets and heavy jets.
Your car at Southend
Chauffeur-driven cars can be arranged with your flight, at cost, and timed to your aircraft: if your flight moves, your car moves with it. Our chauffeur partner, Executive Global Travel, runs a Mercedes fleet from the S-Class to the V-Class and Sprinter for larger parties.
- Southend Airport chauffeur service
- Executive chauffeur service in London
- The chauffeur fleet: Mercedes S-Class, V-Class and Sprinter
Southend: your questions answered
How far is Southend Airport from central London?
Under 40 miles. A helicopter takes under 12 minutes, and the train from the station beside the terminal takes 53 minutes to Liverpool Street. Charter-A can arrange a car or helicopter transfer.
Is Southend Airport open at night?
The airport is open 24 hours, and the Jet Centre runs 0600 to 0230. Use between 2200 and 0630 needs ATC permission, and night restrictions apply from 2300 to 0630.
Does Southend Airport have customs?
The airport is open 24 hours, and the Jet Centre runs 0600 to 0230. Use between 2200 and 0630 needs prior ATC permission, and night restrictions apply from 2300 to 0630, so we plan late flights carefully.
How long is the flight from Southend to Paris by private jet?
About 45 min in a light jet and 40 min in a midsize or heavy jet, over roughly 170 nautical miles. These are approximate airborne times; routing and winds change them on the day.
Is there an airport guide for London Southend Airport I can download?
Yes. Charter-A’s airport information sheet for London Southend Airport is free to download from this page as a PDF. It sets out the runway, opening hours, customs, handling agents and where to arrive for a private flight.
Planning a private flight
- How much does it cost to charter a private jet?
- How much notice do you need to charter a private jet?
- How early do you arrive for a private jet, and is there security?
- Which size of private jet do I need?
- How much luggage can you take on a private jet?
- Can I take my dog on a private jet?
Private jet airports near Southend
- Private jet London City EGLC · 28 miles
- Private jet Stansted EGSS · 29 miles
- Private jet Biggin Hill EGKB · 33 miles
- Private jet Lydd EGMD · 44 miles
- Private jet Northolt EGWU · 48 miles
- Private jet Gatwick EGKK · 48 miles
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