Low cost carrier easyJet is launching its newest route from London Southend Airport to Edinburgh.

The inaugural flight to Edinburgh will depart on 2 May 2013 with year round flights six days a week – every day except Saturday with fares from £27.49 one way including taxes.

Hugh Aitken, easyjet’s UK Commercial Manager commented: “We’re thrilled to be announcing our first Scottish route from London Southend directly to the city of Edinburgh.

“We’re making it extremely easy and affordable to visit the city or extend the journey further afield to other parts of the Lothians and Scotland by cutting the travel time to less than half compared to a train or car journey from the region and presenting our customers with great value.

“With flights departing six days a week, we’re sure that the new service will be extremely popular with those heading to Edinburgh whether that’s for business or pleasure,” Aitken added.

The news comes just three months after easyJet announced three new routes from the region’s fastest growing airport to Berlin, Newquay and Krakow bringing the total number of easyJet routes from the airport to fifteen with just under 200 flights to and from the airport each week.