£120m investment to improve East Midlands airport
Work has already begun on some of the improvements
East Midlands Airport has announced investment of more than 120-million pounds that it says will improve the passenger experience.
It's a five year programme which includes expanding the security hall, upgrades to air traffic control systems and improvements to toilets and seating.
Some of the work's already started.
Areas which will see improvements include:
• Expanding the security hall to facilitate installing next generation scanning equipment
• Improvements to toilet facilities, customer seating and a programme of roof renewals
• Improvements to heating and cooling in the terminal
• Proposals to improve Rapid Drop-Off arrangements
• Upgrades to air traffic control systems
• Reconstruction of taxiways.
Works have started on the extension of the security hall, following planning approval from North West Leicestershire District Council.
Internal improvements will include enhancements to the entrance portal to improve access into the main security area, as well as enhancements to the facility to improve its look and feel.
This will mean modernised body and baggage scanning technology can be installed to allow passengers to pass through security checks without the need to separate electronic devices from baggage.
This security changes are part of new Government rules, which will also see the removal of the 100ml liquid restrictions.
Steve Griffiths, EMA’s Managing Director, said: “This is the start of a very exciting period for the airport."
"Our passenger numbers are almost back to pre-Covid levels and our already significant air cargo operation has capacity to expand, along with the potential for growth and investment that the East Midlands Freeport brings.
“This programme of substantial investment at EMA demonstrates our confidence in the future and will help to improve the experience of flying from and trading through East Midlands Airport.
"We’re really proud of the effortless travel we provide that prompts people to choose EMA for their holidays abroad, and of the vital part we lay in powering UK trade.
"We’re always looking at ways to improve and this investment will help us do that over the next five years and beyond.”