Southend Airport will face certain closure if expansion plans to develop the site are shelved.

That is the stark warning from airport director Roger Campbell who believes the multi-million proposals are crucial to its survival.

Mr Campbell added that he did not want to see any more job losses at the airport which is still reeling following the collapse of British World Airlines last week.

The airline went into receivership after battling cash flow problems prompted by the worldwide aviation slump following the September 11 terror attacks.

All 320 of the airline's staff, the majority of whom are based at its Southend Airport headquarters, lost their jobs just days before Christmas.

Mr Campbell said: "The reality is if we stand still then there will be no future for Southend Airport. "The revenue will dry up and the airport will have to close.

"It really is make or break time and that is why we have spent so much time and money carrying out our own consultation and investigations into the best way forward. We have come up with a plan we believe will secure the future of Southend Airport for many years to come."

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Published Wednesday December 19, 2001