PASSENGER flights from Southend Airport will not resume until the summer, it has been revealed.

The airport has been left deserted during the day following the departure of easyJet, and most recently Ryanair, with the terminal also closed until the spring.

Bosses have now said new airlines are unlikely to be announced until September, pending current negotiations, and will not get into the air until the summer.

One of these could be industry newbies Atmosphere Airlines, who have announced its intention to set up a base at the airport.

The Echo revealed earlier this year how the Essex-based airline was willing to work with the airport chiefs to tie up a deal.

A spokesman said: “Atmosphere Airlines confirms its intentions to set up and launch a European base from ⁦London Southend Airport.

“As a new airline we are pleased to announce our intent to operate flights to several European destinations from the 2022 season.”

Read more >> Southend Airport’s only terminal closed until next year as passenger flights put on hold

Esken, previously known as Stobart Air, which runs the airport, insisted that there has been “no redundancies” following the departure of Ryanair.

A spokesman said the staff will be ready for when airlines return next year.

David Shearer, chairman of Esken, told Bloomberg: “I think we have a pretty compelling offering.

“One of the benefits is that we can be nimble.”

He expects to announce the new services by the end of February, and explained to Bloomberg how the company is in talks with a “number of airlines” about launching next summer.

This comes after Southend Council said it was “uncertain” of the airport’s future but remains confident it will “bounce back from financial troubles.

Dave McGlone, Tory councillor of the St Laurence ward, said: “This is really disappointing.

“I am a firm supporter of the airport, and we want and need it to be a thriving part of the city. If it is the case that no jobs have been lost, then that is a positive.

“We just have to hope that the ongoing negotiations are fruitful.”

A spokesman for Esken, said: “We want to be well placed to bounce back quickly for summer flying and have no plans for redundancies for Southend Airport employees.”