A brand new type of passenger jet which has only just entered service in the UK is believed to have landed at Southend airport yesterday afternoon.

The new Russian built Sukhoi Super Jet SSJ-100 is one of three which have just been bought by City Jet who operated flights from London City Airport.

It can carry up to 100 passengers and is very quiet.

It is believed the aircraft landed at Southend to check out the airports ground handling services and equipment in case they have to divert to Southend for any reason or operate flights from the airport.

City Jet have just taken over Stobart Air who are part of the giant Stobart Group which owns and runs Southend airport and operate services from southend to four destinations under a separate franchise agreement with Fly Be.