London Southend Airport is a small regional airport located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, approximately 40 miles east of central London. It serves leisure and low-cost carriers and has been marketed as a convenient alternative to larger London airports. The airport underwent significant redevelopment in the early 2010s, including a new terminal building and a railway station opened in 2011, making it one of the few UK airports with a direct on-site rail connection. It was named 'Best UK Airport' by Which? magazine for several consecutive years following the redevelopment. Passenger numbers have fluctuated over the years, with the airport facing challenges retaining airline routes. easyJet, which was formerly based there, withdrew operations, significantly reducing traffic. The airport has worked to attract new carriers and routes to sustain its commercial viability.