CONFUSION reigns surrounding Southend Airport’s cargo night flights, amid concerns they have been resumed.

Originally, it was believed that from June 8 the final night flight would depart at 12.20am, with no other flights running until after 6am – an alleged agreement between campaigners and the airport set out on a voluntary basis.

Although this seemed a victory at the time, sparked after years of campaigning against the “noisy” flights which kept residents awake at night, Councillor Daniel Cowan is now calling for an upgrade on the “subject to change” agreement, vowing to do what he can to make the reduction more permanent.

He said: “In the summer councillor Carole Mulroney had spoken to the airport and we were told that an agreement had been arranged so that the last flight was 12.20am and the first after 6am.

“That is what we announced, but this was voluntary and subject to change, which I guess they have done – nothing permanent can be sorted without a change to the subject 106 agreement.

“This six hour gap was to try and give people a good sleep at night without being woken up by the planes. We appreciate this isn’t enough, but it’s at least a start.

“We will keep pushing for this and do what we can to get a permanent arrangement in place. These people have lived in their homes for decades and have to put up with this.”

The airport’s cargo flights with a global logistics firm – believed to be Amazon – had been operating three times every night between 1am and 5.30am.

A spokesperson from Southend Airport, said: “The airport has never issued a statement regarding a reduction in night flights.

“Schedules are always subject to change and we continue to maintain our commitment to the Section 106 agreement.”

When asked to confirm whether cargo night flights were running between 12.20am and 6am, the airport failed to respond.

John Fuller, campaigner and South East Essex Friends of the Earth co-ordinator, said: “If the airport wants to have a good relationship with the community they will end the night flights and move them to business hours. Some have even moved out the area because of it.”