As previously reported in Total Croatia News, this summer Flybe will be operating a new service from London Southend Airport to Dubrovnik [see here]. The flights, which are operated by Stobart Air, will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 16th May until 30th September, with one way flights starting from £49.99. The flights on Tuesdays will depart from Southend at 7.20am and arrive at Dubrovnik Airport at 11.00am while those on Saturdays will leave Southend 20 minutes earlier, at 7.00am, arriving at Dubrovnik Airport at 10.40am. So, whichever day you travel, you will be in Dubrovnik in time to enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the many lovely cafes and restaurants.
Having originally been developed in 1914-15 as a flying base during World War I, and used commercially during the 1960’s and 70’s, Southend Airport was bought by the Stobart Group in 2008 and was extended and improved over the following 6 years. There is a train station opposite the terminal, with up to 8 trains an hour at peak times, running from central London to the airport, taking 53 minutes from London Liverpool Street. A new on-site Holiday Inn provides accommodation for travellers (particularly useful for the early morning flights), and coaches and buses connect the airport to central Southend, Chelmsford and Stansted Airport.
Facilities at the airport include Lakers Bar & Restaurant, Arnold & Forbes Café Kitchen, World Duty Free Store, Moneycorp Bureau de Change, and a branch of W H Smith. It’s only a small airport, having just 10 check-in desks, compared to 89 at Stansted Airport, so there are not many shops. Despite this, or maybe because of this, it was voted the UK’s Best Airport in 2013 and 2014 by travellers and readers of Which? Magazine. A friend of mine travelled from the airport recently and said it was good, with check-in being quick and easy.
During the summer season you can also fly to Dubrovnik from three other London airports (Gatwick, Luton & Stansted), but, if you’re visiting Dubrovnik this summer, you live in the Essex/London area, you don’t want to spend hours queueing to drop off your luggage/get through security, and you want to begin your holiday feeling relaxed (start how you mean to go on!), perhaps London Southend Airport is the answer. And best of all, you’ll arrive with most of the day left in which to enjoy the beautiful city of Dubrovnik.
