East Midlands Airport#Aeropark
{{Short description|Airport in the East Midlands of England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = East Midlands Airport
| nativename =
| nativename-a =
| nativename-r =
| image = MAG East Midlands Airport logo.svg
| image-width = 200
| image2 = East Midlands Airport - geograph.org.uk - 4884357.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| IATA = EMA
| ICAO = EGNX
| type = Public
| owner-oper = Manchester Airports Group
| city-served = East Midlands
| location = Castle Donington, England
| built = {{start date and age|1943|||df=yes}}
| opened = {{start date and age|1965|04||df=yes}}
| hub = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| DHL Aviation[https://www.dhl.de/content/dam/images/Express/pdf/wm-2018/dhl-express-regions-and-countries-wm-england-062018.pdf dhl.de - DHL EXPRESS United Kingdom] (German) retrieved 1 December 2021
| UPS Airlines{{Cite web |title=Come fly with me: Connecting Great Britain to the world |url=https://about.ups.com/be/en/newsroom/press-releases/customer-first/uk-air-hub-expansion.html |access-date=6 September 2021 |website=about.ups.com}}}}
| operating_base = {{ubl|class=nowrap
| Jet2.com
| Ryanair
| TUI Airways}}
| elevation-f = 306
| coordinates = {{coord|52|50|N|001|20|W|region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Leicestershire#United Kingdom
| pushpin_label = EMA/EGNX
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Leicestershire
| website = {{URL|www.eastmidlandsairport.com}}
| metric-rwy = Y
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length-m = 2,893
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 3,186,367
| stat2-header = Passenger change 21-22
| stat2-data = {{increase}}283%
| stat3-header = Aircraft movements
| stat3-data = 46,730
| stat4-header = Movements change 21-22
| stat4-data = {{increase}}32%
| footnotes = Sources: UK AIP at NATS{{Cite web |title=East Midlands – EGNX |url=http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D60%26Itemid%3D109.html |access-date=8 November 2010 |publisher=Nats-uk.ead-it.com |archive-date=12 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312060122/http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D60%26Itemid%3D109.html |url-status=dead }}
Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority{{Cite web |date=21 March 2023 |title=Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118121903/https://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/ |archive-date=18 November 2021 |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=UK Civil Aviation Authority }}
}}
East Midlands Airport {{airport codes|EMA|EGNX}} is an international airport in Castle Donington, England. The airport is situated between Loughborough ({{convert|10|mi|0}}), Derby ({{convert|12.5|mi|0}}) and Nottingham ({{convert|14|mi|0}}); Leicester is {{convert|20|mi|0}} to the south and Lincoln {{convert|43|mi|0}} northeast. It serves the majority of the East Midlands region consisting of the counties of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Derbyshire. The airfield was originally built as a Royal Air Force station known as RAF Castle Donington in 1943, before being redeveloped as a civilian airport in 1965.
East Midlands Airport has established itself as a hub for low-fare airlines such as Jet2.com and Ryanair and tour operators like TUI Airways, which serve a range of domestic and European short-haul destinations. In 2022, the airport was the 14th-busiest airport in the UK by passenger traffic. A central air cargo hub, it was the second-busiest UK airport for freight traffic in 2016, after London Heathrow.
The airport is owned by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), the largest British-owned airport operator, which is controlled by the ten metropolitan borough councils of Greater Manchester, with Manchester City Council retaining the controlling stake.{{Cite news |date=15 February 2012 |title=AGMA to consider Manchester Airport restructure in takeover bid |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1485606_manchester-airport-owners-agree-restructure-to-fund-stansted-acquisition |url-status=live |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420230150/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1485606_manchester-airport-owners-agree-restructure-to-fund-stansted-acquisition |archive-date=20 April 2013}}
History
=RAF Castle Donington=
RAF Castle Donington was opened as a Royal Air Force station in 1943, during the Second World War. The airfield was equipped with three concrete runways, together with two hangars, and was a satellite airfield to RAF Wymeswold, situated some {{convert|9|mi}} to the southeast. Initially, the airfield was used by the 28 Operational Training Unit, training RAF Bomber Command crews on the Vickers Wellington, and subsequently by the 108 Operational Training Unit, later renamed 1382 Transport Conversion Unit, training RAF Transport Command crews on the Douglas Dakota. The airfield closed and the air force station was decommissioned in 1946.{{pastScape |mnumber=1390986|mname=East Midlands Airport |accessdate=28 April 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/emaweb.nsf/Content/OurHistory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175705/http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/emaweb.nsf/Content/OurHistory |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=16 June 2015 |publisher=East Midlands Airport}}{{Cite news |last=Care |first=Adam |date=9 November 2018 |title=This is the moving way the fallen are being honoured at East Midlands Airport |work=Leicester Mercury |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/moving-way-fallen-being-honoured-2200267 |url-status=live |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428192629/https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/moving-way-fallen-being-honoured-2200267 |archive-date=28 April 2019}}
=East Midlands Airport=
A group of local government agencies bought the former RAF station site in 1964, at which point a sizeable construction and runway investment programme was launched. The airfield was renamed East Midlands Airport to reflect the area it served, and it opened for passengers in April 1965, replacing the redundant Derby Airport.
Until 1982, when the head office moved to Donington Hall,"[http://www.flybmi.com/downloads/bmi/80s.pdf the eighties] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610021318/http://www.flybmi.com/downloads/bmi/80s.pdf |date=10 June 2012 }}." British Midland International. Retrieved on 28 December 2011. British Midland had its head office on the airport property."World Airline Directory." Flight International. 26 July 1980. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1980/1980%20-%201914.html?search=%22British%20Midland%22 295] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306170518/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1980/1980%20-%201914.html?search=%22British%20Midland%22 |date=6 March 2016 }}. "Head Office: East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Derby, Great Britain. 37172." BMI also had its maintenance base at the airport.
In 1993, National Express purchased the airport from the local councils.[http://www.east-midlands-airport-guide.co.uk/history.html History of East Midlands Airport] East Midlands Airport With Bournemouth Airport, it was sold to Manchester Airports Group in February 2001.[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/314061A7BF7257488025738D004BB429/$File/Annual+Report+and+Accounts+0001.pdf Manchester Airports Group Annual Report 31 March 2001] {{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Manchester Airport Group[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1179057.stm Manchester Airport spreads its wings] BBC News 19 February 2001 In 2004 the airport was controversially renamed Nottingham East Midlands Airport.{{Cite news |date=20 January 2004 |title=Row over airport name change |work=BBC News |agency=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3412149.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223055512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3412149.stm |archive-date=23 February 2007}} The change, however, did not last long, and on 8 December 2006, the airport's name was reverted to East Midlands Airport.{{Cite news |date=8 December 2006 |title=It's back to East Midlands Airport |language=en-gb |work=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |agency=BBC News |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2006/12/07/rename_nottingham_ema_feature.shtml |url-status=live |access-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225081554/http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2006/12/07/rename_nottingham_ema_feature.shtml |archive-date=25 December 2018}}
EasyJet ceased operating from the airport on 5 January 2010.{{Cite web |date=3 September 2009 |title=easyJet announces network redeployments |url=http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2009/03-09-09.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222204333/http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2009/03-09-09.aspx |archive-date=22 December 2009 |publisher=EasyJet}} However, it was announced on 13 April 2011 that Bmibaby would close its Manchester and Cardiff bases, moving an additional service to East Midlands Airport with increased frequencies and new routes for summer 2012. It was announced only just over a year later, on 3 May 2012, that Bmibaby would close down and cease all operations in September 2012, with a number of services being dropped from June. The parent company, International Airlines Group, cited heavy losses and the failure to find a suitable buyer as the reasons for the decision.{{Cite web |date=3 May 2012 |title=BMI Baby to be grounded by BA owner IAG |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17940539 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925142111/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17940539 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |access-date=14 October 2016 |publisher=BBC |quote="BMI Baby has delivered high levels of operational performance and customer service, but has continued to struggle financially, losing more than £100m in the last four years,"}} In light of the announcement, Flybe and Monarch Airlines announced they would establish a base at the airport, and low-cost airline Jet2.com confirmed they would also expand their operations from the airport, with new routes and an additional aircraft from the summer of 2013. In 2015, the airport announced jet2.com would base a seventh aircraft at East Midlands Airport in the summer period. Ryanair expanded its East Midlands base with a series of new routes and frequency increases on existing routes. Ryanair became the largest airline at the airport, accounting for about 50% of passenger traffic, with East Midlands now being Ryanair's third-largest UK airport, after London Stansted and Manchester, both now also owned by MAG.
In 2016, Heathrow handled 1.54 million tonnes of freight and mail, compared with 300,100 tonnes in East Midlands. DHL Aviation has a large purpose-built facility at EMA, and courier companies UPS and PostNL use the airport as a base to import and export freight.{{needs update|date=May 2024}}
=Development since 2020=
On 4 March 2020, Flybe entered administration,{{Cite web |title=Advice to UK consumers following Flybe entering administration {{!}} UK Civil Aviation Authority |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Advice-to-UK-consumers-following-Flybe-entering-administration/ |access-date=30 March 2020 |website=www.caa.co.uk}} with EMA announcing that all flights were cancelled with immediate effect, the following day.{{Cite web |title=Flybe has ceased trading and all future flights from the UK cancelled |url=https://mediacentre.eastmidlandsairport.com/flybe-has-ceased-trading-and-all-future-flights-from-the-uk-are-cancelled/ |access-date=30 March 2020 |website=Flybe has ceased trading and all future flights from the UK cancelled |language=en}}
In the summer of 2020, Aer Lingus announced they would commence flights to Belfast, operated by Stobart Air, taking over the route which was once operated by Flybe,{{Cite news |title=Six new routes for Belfast City Airport with Aer Lingus regional hub |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/ulsterbusiness/news/six-new-routes-for-belfast-city-airport-with-aer-lingus-regional-hub-39391229.html |access-date=11 August 2021 |issn=0307-1235}} until their collapse in early 2020. In June 2021, Stobart Air collapsed, ceasing the route. Later in the month, EasyJet announced they would take over the Belfast route, operating frequent flights to Belfast International Airport.{{Cite web |last=Bunn |first=Matthew |date=17 June 2021 |title=easyJet confirms brand new route from East Midlands Airport |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/easyjet-confirms-brand-new-route-5541875 |access-date=11 August 2021 |website=NottinghamshireLive |language=en}} This was the first easyJet route announced from East Midlands since they stopped services from the airport in January 2010.
Airlines and destinations
=Passenger=
{{no footnotes|section|date=January 2025}}
The following airlines operate regular scheduled passenger flights to and from East Midlands:[http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/flight-information/timetables/ eastmidlandsairport.com - Flight Timetables] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006104633/http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/flight-information/timetables/ |date=6 October 2016 }} retrieved 5 October 2016
{{Airport-dest-list
| Aer Lingus | Belfast–City{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241031-einw24eu|title=Aer Lingus NW24 Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=31 October 2024|accessdate=14 March 2025|language=en}}
| Blue Islands | Jersey{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Jersey|date=November 2023|volume=25|issue=5|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=480}}
| Jet2.com | Agadir (begins 26 March 2026),{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-and-jet2holidays-tease-further-growth-as-expanded-summer-2026-programme-released | title=Jet2 and Jet2holidays tease further growth as expanded summer 2026 programme released }} Alicante,{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide |title=Nottingham|date=November 2023|volume=25|issue=5|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=764-765}} Antalya,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231010-lsns24|title=Jet2.com NS24 Network Adjustment – 08OCT23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=10 October 2023|accessdate=26 March 2025|language=en}} Faro, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Málaga,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240424-lsnw24|title=Jet2 NW24 Network Adjustments – 21APR24|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=24 April 2024|accessdate=26 March 2025|language=en}} Paphos,[https://www.jet2.com/en/next-winter#flights Winter flights] jet2.com Tenerife–South
Seasonal: Almeria (begins 24 May 2026),{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-and-jet2holidays-tease-further-growth-as-expanded-summer-2026-programme-released | title=Jet2 and Jet2holidays tease further growth as expanded summer 2026 programme released }} Berlin (begins 28 November 2025),{{cite web|url=https://www.jet2.com/en/flights/new-routes|title=New Routes|website=Jet2.com}}{{better|independent source needed|date=August 2024}} Bodrum, Budapest (begins 10 October 2025),https://www.ttgmedia.com/destinations/jet2-expands-city-break-network-with-two-new-budapest-routes-50246 Burgas, Corfu, Dalaman, Dubrovnik, Geneva,{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Geneva, Switzerland|date=February 2023|volume=24|issue=8|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=318-323}} Girona, Heraklion, Ibiza, İzmir, Jersey,{{Cite web |date=30 October 2020 |title=Jet2.com launches five new routes to Jersey for Summer 2021 |url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/jet2-com/jet2-com-launches-five-new-routes-to-jersey-for-summer-2021/ |website=aviation24.be}} Kefalonia, Kos, Kraków,{{Cite news |date=23 November 2022 |title=Jet2's new Xmas Market route for Winter from East Midlands Airport |work=Derbyshirelive |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/jet2-reveals-krakow-new-christmas-7856014 |via=www.derbytelegraph.co.uk}} Larnaca, Malta,[https://www.jet2.com/en/next-summer#flights Summer flights] jet2.com Menorca, Naples,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240415-ukns24|title=UK NS24 Network Additions – 14APR24|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=15 April 2024|accessdate=26 March 2025|language=en}} Palma de Mallorca, Prague,{{Cite web |date=7 March 2021 |title=Eight European Christmas Market holidays unveiled by Jet2 for post-pandemic trips |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/eight-european-christmas-market-holidays-19984175 |access-date=14 July 2021 |website=lancs.live}} Preveza/Lefkada (begins 6 May 2026),{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-and-jet2holidays-tease-further-growth-as-expanded-summer-2026-programme-released | title=Jet2 and Jet2holidays tease further growth as expanded summer 2026 programme released }} Pula (begins 24 May 2026),{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-and-jet2holidays-tease-further-growth-as-expanded-summer-2026-programme-released | title=Jet2 and Jet2holidays tease further growth as expanded summer 2026 programme released }} Reus, Reykjavík–Keflavík, Rhodes, Skiathos, Split (begins 3 May 2026),{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-and-jet2holidays-tease-further-growth-as-expanded-summer-2026-programme-released | title=Jet2 and Jet2holidays tease further growth as expanded summer 2026 programme released }} Thessaloniki (begins 23 May 2026),{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-and-jet2holidays-tease-further-growth-as-expanded-summer-2026-programme-released | title=Jet2 and Jet2holidays tease further growth as expanded summer 2026 programme released }} Verona, Vienna,{{better|independent source needed|date=August 2024}} Zakynthos
| Ryanair{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes}} | Alicante,{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Nottingham, UK|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=782-783}} Barcelona, Belfast–International,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Bergamo,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230516-frns23it|title=Ryanair May – Oct 2023 Italy Frequency Variations – 14MAY23|website=Aeroroutes}} Berlin, Dublin, Faro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Knock, Kraków, Lanzarote, Málaga, Riga, Tenerife–South, Wrocław
Seasonal: Bergerac, Budapest,{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230918-frnw23 | title=Ryanair NW23 Network Changes – 17SEP23 }} Carcassonne, Chania, Corfu, Girona,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250114-frns25gro|title=Ryanair Boosts CONNECT Route Development Forum Host Girona Network in NS25|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=14 January 2025|accessdate=1 February 2025|language=en-ca}} Limoges, Malta,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Menorca, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Prague,{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231030-uknw23 | title=UK NW23 Network Additions/Removals Summary – 29OCT23 }} Reus, Rhodes, Rome–Ciampino,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Treviso, Valencia
| {{nowrap|TUI Airways}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tui.co.uk/flight/timetable|title=Flight Timetable|website=www.tui.co.uk}} | Alicante, Boa Vista,{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/tui-adds-300000-seats-to-summer-2025-programme | title=Tui adds 345,000 seats to summer 2025 programme }} Enfidha, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Málaga, Tenerife–South
Seasonal: Antalya, Chambéry, Corfu, Dalaman, Dubrovnik, Faro, Heraklion, Ibiza, Kefalonia, Kittilä, Kos, Larnaca, Menorca, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos, Rhodes, Sharm El Sheikh, Skiathos, Turin, Zakynthos
}}
=Cargo=
{{Airport-dest-list
| AeroLogic[https://www.aerologic.aero/home aerologic.aero] | Frankfurt, Leipzig/Halle
| {{nowrap|ASL Airlines France[http://www.aslairlines.fr/en/cargo-flights/scheduled-cargo-flights/cargo-network/ aslairlines.fr - Scheduled cargo flights]}} | Belfast–International, Leipzig/Halle, Liège, Paris–Charles de Gaulle
| DHL Aviation[https://aviationcargo.dhl.com/destinations-served dhl.com] retrieved 20 January 2021 | Aberdeen, Almaty, Bahrain, Belfast–International, Bologna, Brussels, Cincinnati, Cologne/Bonn, Copenhagen, Dubai–International, Dublin, Edinburgh, Leipzig/Halle, London–Luton, Madrid, Milan–Malpensa, Munich, New York–JFK, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Reykjavík–Keflavík, Shannon, Vitoria, Los Angeles
| Royal Mail{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38810648 |title=Loganair secures new Royal Mail contract |work=BBC News |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124103949/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38810648 |archive-date=24 November 2018 |url-status=live}} | Inverness
}}
East Midlands Airport is a major hub for freight operations throughout Europe due to its central location within the United Kingdom. The East Midlands Gateway rail-served inland port lies immediately to the north of the airport. The airport serves as a hub for DHL Aviation and UPS Airlines and sees flights by several of their sub-contractors to domestic, European and intercontinental destinations. Cargo operations at the airport increased significantly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic - cargo aircraft movements increasing by 10% in the first week following the implementation of social distancing measures on 16 March 2020{{Cite web |date=April 2020 |title=Aircargo News - East Midlands Airport experiences cargo growth amid Covid-19 outbreak |url=https://www.aircargonews.net/cargo-airport/east-midlands-airport-experiences-cargo-growth-amid-covid-19-outbreak/}} and overall annual freight and mail increasing by 13% from 2019 to 2020.{{Cite news |date=19 October 2022 |title=BBC - East Midlands Airport sees huge increase in cargo volumes Published |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-63234530}} Further growth was seen throughout 2021 and 2022.{{Cite web |date=10 December 2021 |title=Business Live - East Midlands Airport cargo shipments up more than 25% on pre-pandemic levels |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/east-midlands-airport-cargo-shipments-22424091}}
Statistics
File:G-BHWE-Boeing737-1197.jpg Boeing 737-200 at East Midlands Airport in 1982.]]
File:EastMidlandsAirport_ATCTower.jpg
File:East Midlands Airport - departure hall - 2.JPG
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Busiest routes to and from East Midlands (2022){{Cite web |date=21 March 2023 |title=Airport Data 2022 |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/UK-Airport-data/Airport-data-2022/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=UK Civil Aviation Authority |at=Tables 12.1(XLS) and 12.2 (XLS)}} | |||
| Rank || Airport || Total passengers !Airline(s)|| Change | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alicante | align='right'| 309,549
|Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI | {{increase}} 289.6% |
| 2 | Tenerife–South | align='right'| 274,514
|Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI | {{increase}} 277.2% |
| 3 | Palma de Mallorca | align='right'| 257,701
|Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI | {{increase}} 280.5% |
| 4 | Málaga | align='right'| 245,052
|Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI | {{increase}} 315.5% |
| 5 | Faro | align='right'| 221,169
|Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI | {{increase}} 322.3% |
| 6 | Lanzarote | align='right'| 173,831
|Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI | {{increase}} 275.7% |
| 7 | Dublin | align='right'| 136,552
|Ryanair | {{increase}} 401.2% |
| 8 | Barcelona | align='right'| 71,950
|Ryanair | {{increase}} 321.7% |
| 9 | Dalaman | align='right'| 63,947
|Jet2.com, TUI | {{increase}} 1,235.3% |
| 10 | Fuerteventura | align='right'| 60,722
|Jet2.com, Ryanair | {{increase}} 239.3% |
Other facilities
Pegasus Business Park, an office complex, is on the airport grounds. The now-defunct airline flybmi formerly had its head office at Pegasus Business Park."[https://web.archive.org/web/20170712061513/https://www.flybmi.com/contact-us Contact Us]." Flybmi. 12 July 2017. retrieved on 18 February 2019. "Head Office bmi regional Pegasus Business Park Herald Way East Midlands Airport Castle Donington DE74 2TU"
Ground transport
=Motorway=
File:Class 222 at East Midlands Parkway railway station in 2009.jpg.]]
The airport has excellent connections to the motorway network, as it is near the intersection of the M1, A42 and A50 at Donington Park, bringing the airfield within easy reach of the major population centres of the Midlands. The A46 is also within reach for journeys to the rest of the East Midlands.
=Drop-off fees=
The airport introduced a charge to drop car passengers near the departure lounge in 2010.
=Railway=
The airport has no direct access to the passenger rail network or the Nottingham Express Transit tram network.{{Cite web |title=Tram Train proposals for East Midlands Airport and East Midlands Parkway news |url=https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/tram-train-proposals-for-east-midlands-airport-and-east-midlands-parkway-news.117583/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121228/https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/tram-train-proposals-for-east-midlands-airport-and-east-midlands-parkway-news.117583/ |archive-date=19 January 2019 |access-date=23 December 2017 |website=RailUK Forums|date=27 June 2015 }} The nearest railway station is East Midlands Parkway, {{convert|4|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} away, with regular services to Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, Lincoln, Nottingham and London St Pancras. The original shuttle bus service linking the station and the airport ceased not long after it was introduced,{{Cite web |title=Train services to and from East Midlands Parkway – East Midlands Trains |url=https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/routes-destinations/airports/east-midlands-airport |publisher=East Midlands Trains}} but in 2015 an hourly minibus service was reintroduced by Elite Cars, restoring scheduled shuttle services to and from the airport.{{Cite web |title=EMA Rail Link |url=http://www.emarailink.co.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804090150/http://www.emarailink.co.uk/ |archive-date=4 August 2015 |access-date=16 August 2015}} Connections to the airport via taxi are also available.
A dedicated railway station at the airport is proposed, which would be connected to the existing network via a spur from the Midland main line. If the project goes ahead, it is expected to be complete by 2040 and will offer direct services to nearby cities as well as the existing East Midlands Parkway railway station. A new line to the airport on the Nottingham Express Transit network is also proposed, planned to be open by 2045.{{Cite web |date=28 May 2020 |title=Access to Toton, the HS2 East Midlands Hub |url=https://www.midlandsconnect.uk/media/1706/final-access-to-toton-report.pdf |access-date=28 May 2020 |website=Midlands Connect}}
A 700-acre (280 ha) railfreight terminal, East Midlands Gateway, opened on the SEGRO Logistics Park to the north of the airport in 2020,{{Cite web |title=Rail Minister officially opens Maritime's Rail Freight Interchange at East Midlands Gateway |url=http://www.maritimetransport.com/news-media/2020/03/04/rail-minister-officially-opens-maritime-s-rail-freight-interchange-at-east-midlands-gateway |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=www.maritimetransport.com}} so that the site is now served by air, road and rail cargo. As of December 2021, this was handling 10,000 shipping containers, with trains to ports including Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton and Liverpool.{{Cite web |title=Maritime boosts East Midlands operation with two new Kalmar reach stackers |url=http://www.maritimetransport.com/news-media/2021/12/15/maritime-boosts-east-midlands-operation-with-two-new-kalmar-reach-stackers |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=www.maritimetransport.com}}
=Bus=
East Midlands Airport is served 24/7 by Skylink services which are operated by Kinchbus and trentbarton alongside My15 and Airline9 buses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/services/15/welcome|title=welcome - my15 - run by trentbarton|website=www.trentbarton.co.uk|accessdate=15 November 2023}}
As of May 2022 the airport is served by the services listed.
The airport also has a car park shuttle bus service, which is presently run by FirstGroup.
{{anchor|Aeropark}}East Midlands Aeropark
The East Midlands Aeropark to the north west corner of the airport has a large number of static aircraft on public display, the majority of which are from British manufacturers. The museum and its exhibits are managed and maintained by the Aeropark Volunteers Association (AVA). It also offers two viewing mounds for watching aircraft arriving and departing from the main runway. AVA Members are allowed free access to the Aeropark. Exhibits include an Aérospatiale Gazelle, a de Havilland Vampire and an English Electric Canberra amongst several others.{{Cite web |title=AEROPARK EXHIBITS |url=http://www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org/aeropark-exhibits.html |access-date=3 August 2022 |publisher=East Midlands Aeropark}}
Accidents and incidents
- On 20 February 1969, Vickers Viscount G-AODG of British Midland Airways was damaged beyond economic repair when it landed short of the runway. There were no casualties.{{Cite web |title=Accident description |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19690220-0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025095833/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19690220-0 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |access-date=7 October 2009 |publisher=Aviation Safety Network}}
- On 31 January 1986, Aer Lingus Flight 328, a Short 360, en route from Dublin, struck power lines and crashed short of the runway. None of the 36 passengers and crew died but two passengers were injured in the accident.{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Shorts 360-100 EI-BEM East Midlands Airport (EMA) |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19860131-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806022116/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19860131-1 |archive-date=6 August 2011 |access-date=8 November 2010 |publisher=Aviation-safety.net}}
- On 18 January 1987, a British Midland Fokker F27 Friendship, on a training flight, crashed on approach to East Midlands Airport due to wing and tail surface icing. There were no fatalities.{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Fokker F-27 Friendship 200 G-BMAU East Midlands Airport (EMA) |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19870118-0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606095218/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19870118-0 |archive-date=6 June 2011 |access-date=4 December 2017 |publisher=Aviation-safety.net}}
- On 8 January 1989, British Midland Flight 92 crashed on approach to East Midlands Airport, killing 47 people. The Boeing 737 aircraft had developed a fan blade failure in one of the two engines while en route from London Heathrow to Belfast and a decision was made to divert to East Midlands. The crew mistakenly shut down the functioning engine, causing the aircraft to lose power and crash on the embankment of the M1 Motorway just short of the runway. No one on the ground was injured and no vehicles were damaged despite the aircraft crashing on the embankment of one of the busiest sections of motorway in the UK. The investigation into the Kegworth air disaster, as the incident became known, led to considerable improvements in aircraft safety and emergency instructions for passengers. The official report into the disaster made 31 safety recommendations.
- On 29 October 2010, in the 2010 cargo plane bomb plot, British police searched a UPS plane at East Midlands Airport but found nothing.{{Cite web |date=7 April 2010 |title=Terrorist Bombers May Have Targeted Aircraft |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/terrorist-bombers-may-have-targeted-aircraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104062802/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/01/terrorist-bombers-targeted-aircraft/ |archive-date=4 November 2010 |access-date=1 November 2010 |publisher=Fox News Channel}} Later that day, when a package was found on a plane in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, British officials searched again and found a bomb.{{Cite web |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=31 October 2010 |title=Cargo plane bomb plot: al-Qaeda terrorists 'threatened another Lockerbie' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8100970/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-al-Qaeda-terrorists-threatened-another-Lockerbie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102223811/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8100970/Cargo-plane-bomb-plot-al-Qaeda-terrorists-threatened-another-Lockerbie.html |archive-date=2 November 2010 |access-date=1 November 2010 |website=The Daily Telegraph}} The two packages, found on two planes originating in Yemen, contained the powerful high explosive PETN. The U.K. and the U.S. determined that the plan was to detonate them while in flight. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula took responsibility.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2010 |title=Al-Qaida claims responsibility for cargo bombs |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40031838 |access-date=8 November 2010 |website=NBC News}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category inline}}
- {{Official website|http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/}}
- [http://www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org/ East Midlands Aeropark] – official museum website
{{Portalbar|United Kingdom|England|Aviation}}
{{Airports in the United Kingdom}}
{{British Aviation Museums}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Aerospace museums in England
Category:Airports established in 1965
Category:Airports in Leicestershire
Category:Airports in the East Midlands
Category:Manchester Airports Group
Category:Military installations established in 1943
Category:Military installations closed in 1946
Category:Museums in Leicestershire
Category:North West Leicestershire District
Category:Transport in Leicestershire
Category:1943 establishments in England
Category:1946 disestablishments in England