London is Europe's busiest city for private aviation, and Southend has become the latest airport to tap into the market by announcing that the Stobart Jet Centre is opening in November.
The centre is expected to cater for 5,000 private flights per year by 2022, and will be open 24/7 for 364 days a year.
The airport's owner Stobart Aviation, part of the Stobart Group, said the flexible hours should prove a big draw for the capital's private jet users.
Stephen Grimes, managing director, Stobart Jet Centre, said: "Convenience, speed and comfort are absolutely vital to the business and private aviation market. This has been at the heart of our thinking in developing our new terminal.
"The Stobart Jet Centre will offer guests and pilots a smooth, premium experience because we can offer 24-hour availability and departure routes outside London’s crowded airspace.
"We are confident that London Southend Airport will become a refreshing, hassle-free alternative to London’s current, crowded private aviation terminals."
The airport is 42 miles from the heart of London's West End, while chauffeur transfers are under an hour by road to central London. There are also helicopter transfers to and from Canary Wharf or Battersea Heliport.
Southend Airport said that with no slot restrictions, it will be able to offer faster departure routes outside of London airspace, reducing flight times.
The airport is also hoping to prove competitive when it comes to landing, parking and handling prices. To park a Boeing business jet at the airport for 24 hours will cost £1,000 - seven times cheaper than some other London airports.