Airports on both sides of the Atlantic are setting their sights on new horizons, with Southend Airport in the UK and Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, USA, each making bold moves to expand their international reach. Both airports have publicly expressed a keen interest in adding high-demand destinations—specifically Edinburgh, Dublin, and other European cities—to their rosters, reflecting a growing appetite for connectivity and economic opportunity in their respective regions.
On February 20, 2026, Southend Airport made waves by revealing its ambition to add flights to the Scottish and Irish capitals, Edinburgh and Dublin. According to the airport's official Facebook story, these routes are not just wishful thinking—they're top priorities. "We'd absolutely love to. Edinburgh and Dublin are highly requested routes for us," the airport stated in response to a user inquiry about potential flights to Scotland or Ireland this year. The message was accompanied by a poll, inviting followers to weigh in on whether they would book flights to these destinations, highlighting just how much community input is shaping the airport's future plans.
Currently, Southend Airport serves as a bustling hub for easyJet, which operates flights to more than 20 destinations across Europe and North Africa, including sun-soaked Malta, the cultural gem of Pisa, and wintry Salzburg. The airport's desire to grow is clear—just this year, three new destinations were added: Jersey, Munich, and Ibiza. The steady expansion reflects both the airport’s ambitions and the region’s growing demand for greater travel options.
Across the Atlantic, Norfolk International Airport is also plotting a new course. On the same day as Southend’s announcement, Norfolk’s executive team and the broader Hampton Roads community took a significant step by forming the Hampton Roads Transatlantic Air Service Coalition. The coalition, comprising local business leaders and government representatives, aims to attract European airlines by creating a financial safety net—a fund designed to offset the risks airlines face when launching new transatlantic routes.
Launching a new international flight is no small feat. As Chris Jones, spokesperson for Norfolk International Airport, explained to WHRO, "Going into a new destination for an airline is literally a multi-million dollar, in some cases, hundreds of millions of dollars, investment into a community. And when you're making that type of commitment, they want to have some assurances." The coalition’s fund acts as an insurance policy, ready to step in if a new route fails to meet revenue expectations in its initial years. This innovative approach signals just how serious the region is about securing its first direct link to Europe.
But where might that first European flight land? All eyes are on Ireland and Iceland. According to reporting by ORF, about 70 people each day travel from Norfolk to Ireland, making Dublin the most popular final destination. The airport’s leadership sees this as a clear market opportunity. With Aer Lingus and Icelandair both operating major hubs—Dublin Airport (DUB) and Keflavik Airport (KEF), respectively—these cities are prime candidates. Notably, Dublin Airport offers U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance, allowing travelers to arrive in Norfolk as domestic passengers. This could mean a smoother, faster arrival process, making the route even more attractive to potential flyers.
Currently, travelers in Norfolk seeking direct flights to Europe must drive three to five hours to reach the nearest major international airports. This inconvenience, paired with the clear demand for a direct route, underscores the potential impact a new transatlantic connection could have. Doug Smith, president of the Hampton Roads Alliance, emphasized the significance, stating that securing such a flight "would be an immense boost to the local economy." The airport already ranks as the 65th busiest in the United States, with 2.4 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2024. It’s the third busiest airport in Virginia, trailing only Washington Dulles and Reagan National.
Norfolk International is no stranger to growth. Breeze Airways currently operates seasonal flights to Cancun, and JetBlue is set to launch a new route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 27. Other domestic expansions are on the horizon as well, with Frontier Airlines adding Tampa to its schedule on March 3 and Southwest Airlines launching seasonal service to Kansas City on June 4. The airport’s roster of airlines—American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United—reflects a healthy mix of legacy and low-cost carriers, but a direct European link remains the missing piece.
Back in the UK, Southend’s ambitions mirror Norfolk’s in many ways. Both airports are regional players with a hunger for growth, and both see the addition of key routes as a way to strengthen their positions in the competitive aviation market. For Southend, the addition of Edinburgh and Dublin would cater to a strong demand for travel between England, Scotland, and Ireland, tapping into both business and leisure markets. The airport’s ongoing partnership with easyJet, and its track record of adding new destinations, suggest that these ambitions are more than just talk.
Yet, for all the excitement, the challenges are real. For Norfolk, attracting a European airline—whether Aer Lingus, Icelandair, or another carrier—requires more than just community enthusiasm. The financial risks are significant, and airlines must balance the potential rewards against the costs of launching a new international service. The coalition’s fund is a creative solution, but it’s ultimately up to the airlines to decide if the market is ripe for expansion. Similarly, Southend must navigate the competitive landscape of UK aviation, where larger airports often dominate new route announcements and airline partnerships.
Still, the optimism is palpable. Both airports are leveraging community support, data-driven insights, and innovative incentives to make their cases. The prospect of new routes is energizing local travelers and business leaders alike, who see improved connectivity as a pathway to economic growth and greater global engagement. As the polls and coalitions suggest, these are not decisions being made in isolation—regional voices are helping shape the future of air travel in both Southend and Norfolk.
Whether it’s a weekend getaway to Dublin, a business trip to Edinburgh, or a long-awaited direct flight from Virginia to Europe, the coming years could see these regional airports transform the way their communities connect with the wider world. For now, travelers and industry watchers alike are waiting for the next big announcement—one that could open new doors on both sides of the Atlantic.