Air travel enthusiasts and frequent flyers in both the United Kingdom and the United States have reason to pay attention: two regional airports—Southend Airport in England and Norfolk International Airport in Virginia—are setting their sights on expanding their reach to new international destinations, with a particular focus on the capitals of Ireland and Scotland. As of February 20, 2026, both airports have publicly revealed ambitions to add flights to Dublin and Edinburgh, signaling a broader trend among regional airports to connect passengers to high-demand European cities.
Southend Airport, located on the southeast coast of England, made its intentions clear during a recent Q&A session on its Facebook story. When a user inquired about the possibility of flights to Scotland or Ireland this year, the airport responded enthusiastically: "We'd absolutely love to. Edinburgh and Dublin are highly requested routes for us." According to the airport, these two cities are among the most sought-after additions to its growing list of destinations. To further gauge public interest, Southend Airport included a poll in the post, asking followers whether they would book flights to either location—a move that underscores the airport's commitment to customer feedback and market-driven expansion.
Currently, Southend Airport is no stranger to international travel. EasyJet, its primary operator, offers flights to more than 20 destinations across Europe and North Africa, including hotspots like Malta, Pisa, and Salzburg. In 2026 alone, three new destinations—Jersey, Munich, and Ibiza—were added to the schedule, reflecting the airport's ongoing efforts to broaden its horizons. The airport's management has made it clear they are "always looking to expand their borders and add new destinations to their list," as reported by the local press.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Norfolk International Airport is charting a similar course. Located just seven miles from downtown Norfolk, Virginia, this regional hub was the 65th busiest airport in the United States in 2024, serving approximately 2.4 million passengers. Despite its regional status—ranking third in Virginia behind Washington Dulles and Reagan National—Norfolk International has made significant strides in recent years to enhance its route offerings. In the past month alone, the airport introduced new flights to Cancun, Mexico, courtesy of Breeze Airways, and is set to launch additional domestic routes to Tampa and Kansas City in 2026.
The real excitement, however, centers on Norfolk's ambitions to secure its first direct European route. According to WHRO and other local outlets, the newly established Hampton Roads Transatlantic Air Service Coalition—a group composed of business leaders and regional stakeholders—has begun assembling a fund designed to incentivize European airlines to take a chance on Norfolk. This fund acts as an "insurance policy" for airlines, helping to offset the significant financial risks associated with launching new transatlantic routes. Chris Jones, a spokesperson for Norfolk International Airport, explained the rationale: "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 approach is pragmatic. Rather than offering upfront subsidies, the fund would remain available to pay a carrier if it fails to meet revenue goals during the first years of operation. This model is increasingly common among regional airports hoping to attract international service, and it reflects the high stakes involved in transatlantic expansion. Doug Smith, president of the Hampton Roads Alliance, emphasized the potential impact: securing a direct flight to Europe would be a "massive boost to the local economy," offering both business and leisure travelers unprecedented convenience.
So, which European cities are in the running? While non-stop flights to major hubs like London are considered unlikely for now, both Iceland and Ireland have emerged as leading contenders. Icelandair and Aer Lingus—flag carriers with robust transit hubs at Keflavik (KEF) and Dublin (DUB), respectively—are seen as ideal partners. Both airlines operate fleets of narrow-body aircraft capable of efficiently crossing the Atlantic from smaller U.S. airports. Notably, Dublin offers U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facilities, allowing travelers to complete immigration formalities before departure and arrive in Norfolk as domestic passengers. This added convenience could make a Dublin-Norfolk route especially attractive to both airlines and travelers.
Demand for such a connection is not merely speculative. ORF (Norfolk International's code) estimates that around 70 people travel daily from Norfolk to Europe, with Ireland cited as the most popular final destination among these travelers. Currently, the closest airports offering non-stop flights to Europe are hours away by car—Washington Dulles (three hours), Reagan National (three and a half hours), and Charlotte Douglas (five hours). The addition of a direct European route would dramatically cut travel times and offer new opportunities for the region's residents and businesses alike.
For now, the list of airlines serving Norfolk International includes American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United Airlines. International service is limited to seasonal flights to Cancun, with JetBlue set to launch a domestic route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, later this year. The airport's leadership acknowledges that a U.S. carrier is unlikely to be the first to test the European market, making European airlines the primary targets for this expansion effort.
Back in Southend, the situation is somewhat different but no less ambitious. The airport's management is keenly aware of the competitive landscape among regional airports in the UK. With easyJet's extensive network and the recent addition of destinations like Jersey, Munich, and Ibiza, Southend is positioning itself as a gateway for both leisure and business travelers. The focus on Edinburgh and Dublin reflects both passenger demand and strategic opportunity—connecting the southeast of England directly to two of the most vibrant cities in the British Isles.
Both Southend and Norfolk International airports exemplify a broader shift in the aviation industry, where regional airports are no longer content to play supporting roles. Instead, they are leveraging data-driven strategies, community engagement, and innovative financial incentives to attract new routes and serve as vital connectors in the global travel network. Whether these efforts succeed in the near term remains to be seen, but the momentum is undeniable.
As 2026 unfolds, travelers on both sides of the Atlantic may soon find it easier than ever to reach their favorite European destinations, thanks to the determination and creativity of these regional airports. For now, all eyes are on Southend and Norfolk, as they work to turn aspiration into reality—one new route at a time.