Flights at Southend Airport were halted after a drone was spotted near the runway.

Holiday makers including those on an Easyjet flight from Ibiza were affected on Tuesday.

Echo:

A total of two flights were affected at the airport by the suspected rogue drone pilot.

Residents collecting their loved ones after flights were left stunned by the latest drone incident.

Peter Wright, 50, from Langdon Hills said: “We were unsure about what happened at first.

“Then we were told about the drone.

“I think it’s disgusting that people are doing this sort of thing.

“I don’t think these people know or understand about the impact they are having on the planes and passengers.”

Ron Woodley, deputy leader and councillor for transport at Southend Council also blasted these drone flyers.

He said: “These people are irresponsible and are putting people at risk.

“My daughter is an easyjet pilot and I would be so distressed if anything happened to one of her flights.

“It really brings home the affect of this on the pilot, passengers and all the families.

“If the police catch these people they should throw the book at them.

“The risk with this is tremendous.”

Last year the airport held tests on technology to prevent these incidents.

The new surveillance technology means it is now possible to detect drones further away from airports.

A series of drones were deployed near the airport in order to test how the equipment worked.

Then days before Christmas Gatwick Airport ground to a halt after a drone attack.

Thousands of passengers were affected and about 20 police units from two forces were called to hunt for the rogue drone pilot.

A Southend Airport spokesman said: “London Southend services were briefly interrupted for 30 minutes from 12.27pm until 12.57pm due to a credible sighting of a drone.

“Flights resumed shortly after with no further issues.”