AN airline which operates out of Southampton Airport has extended its franchise to a London airport.

Flybe has reached an agreement with Stobart Air, part of the Stobart Group, which involves a five-year arrangement with London Southend serving new routes to northern Europe with two 72-seat aircraft in Flybe livery.

Chief executive officer of Flybe, Saad Hammad, said: “We are delighted to be extending the Flybe brand further into the south-east.”