Operations at London Southend Airport were suspended on Sunday after a small aircraft crash triggered an immediate lockdown of the airport. Located in Essex, approximately 56 kilometres from central London, the airport confirmed that all incoming and outgoing flights had been cancelled until further notice.
Essex Police reported that they received a call shortly before 4pm about an incident involving a 12-metre aircraft. Emergency services including fire crews, police, and ambulance units were dispatched to the scene, alongside air accident investigators.
Authorities described the situation as a “serious incident”, with a full emergency response in place. Passengers were advised not to travel to the airport, and airlines have begun rebooking affected travellers amidst widespread airline disruptions.
Eyewitness Footage Shows Smoke and Flames
Shortly after the incident, images and videos posted on social media showed thick black smoke rising near the runway. Some unverified footage appeared to capture a fireball erupting from the crash site, sparking concerns among travellers and aviation safety observers.
The East of England Ambulance Service deployed four ambulances and other support vehicles to assist at the scene. As of now, officials have not confirmed the number of people on board the aircraft or whether there were any injuries or fatalities.
According to the airport’s flight schedule, at least five international flights were cancelled. Passengers are urged to check directly with their airline or booking agent, particularly those who may need to make travel insurance claims due to flight disruptions.
Investigators to Examine Crash Circumstances
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has begun work to uncover what led to the crash. Aviation safety experts note that while Southend is not as large as Heathrow or Gatwick, it still handles a significant number of short-haul flights and charter services.
Small aircraft crashes near commercial runways are rare but highly disruptive, particularly for regional airports. Southend’s closure is likely to affect not just passengers but also cargo operations and business travel connections.
Passengers affected by the incident are encouraged to retain all travel documents and receipts in preparation for compensation claims or reimbursement processes. Those with upcoming flights are advised to monitor official channels for operational updates.
Image Source: UKNIP