The low-cost airline easyJet introduced a direct flight between London-Southend and Munich on September 17, 2026. The first flight, numbered U25753, departed from London-Southend (SEN) at 7:30 a.m. and reached Munich (MUC) at 10:10 a.m. local time. The return journey was scheduled to leave Munich at 11:00 a.m. and arrive in the United Kingdom at 11:50 a.m. Initially, the route will operate on Thursdays and Sundays until the start of October. London-Southend Airport and easyJet have announced plans to increase the frequency to three flights per week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays beginning November 23—to support the Christmas market season and travel to the Bavarian Alps. The service is currently marketed through to January 1, 2027. Jude Winstanley, general manager of London-Southend Airport, expressed excitement about the launch, saying, "We are delighted to see the first easyJet flight to Munich departing today from London-Southend." She added that Munich is a valuable addition to the airport's growing network. Munich is not only famous for its Oktoberfest, which begins just before the route's launch, but it is also a major economic hub in Germany, particularly in the automotive, technology, and insurance industries. The city offers easy access to Alpine resorts and mountain destinations in southern Germany. For easyJet, the new route targets various customer groups, including those seeking short urban stays, business travelers, visitors attending the Oktoberfest, and tourists interested in Christmas markets and winter sports. The airline also offers packages that combine flights with accommodation in Munich through its easyJet Holidays service. Kevin Doyle, easyJet's director in the United Kingdom, highlighted the importance of the route, stating that it would provide "a direct connection to one of Germany's most dynamic and popular cities" for passengers from Essex and the southeast of England. He emphasized the appeal of Christmas markets, business travel, and exploring the Bavarian region. The launch of this route reflects London-Southend Airport's growth strategy. Situated east of London, the airport is directly connected to the city center by train. Travelers can reach Stratford in 43 minutes and Liverpool Street in 52 minutes, according to the airport. London-Southend Airport reported being the fastest-growing British airport in 2025, with a 150% increase in traffic over the course of a year. It also claimed the top spot in the UK for punctuality in the second quarter of 2026, with 84% of flights departing within fifteen minutes of their scheduled time, based on data from the Civil Aviation Authority. Munich is part of a broader expansion plan for easyJet from London-Southend. Five other routes—Belfast City, Budapest, Edinburgh, Lyon, and Sharm El-Sheikh—are set to launch by the end of October. The airport plans to connect to 26 destinations during the winter and 30 overall in the course of the year.