Following an intensive period of planning and design, work is getting underway on the transformation to refresh the airport infrastructure, maintain safety and regulatory standards and help it operate more efficiently.
The project will include expanding the security hall to facilitate installation of next-gen scanners; improvements to toilet facilities and customer seating; roof renewal; improvements to terminal heating and cooling; ATC system upgrade; taxiway reconstruction; and proposals to improve rapid drop-off arrangements.
The project in detail
Work has begun 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.
Also underway are improvements to the main customer toilets in the Departure Lounge, next to the Castle Rock bar. This will involve replacing and upgrading the facilities to a modern standard with new fixtures and fittings. It will complement an extensive refurbishment of the bar area that Castle Rock is carrying out. Further upgrades to customer toilets will follow. It is hoped that later phases of the investment programme will see the new look and feel in the security hall carried through into the Departure Lounge, where new and additional customer seating will be installed.
As part of the investment programme, EMA is also exploring a range of options for improving the rapid drop-off area, which will help to improve the flow of vehicles through the site. This could include installing cashless and barrierless operating systems.
In addition, work has begun to upgrade the terminal roof. The first phase will focus on the roof above the Departure Lounge area which during heavy rainfall can suffer from leaks.
Reconstruction and resurfacing of the taxiways will also be carried out. The size and number of aircraft using EMA has increased and this drives the need to invest in renewing and reconstructing some of the most heavily trafficked areas to better accommodate modern aircraft. This work will be carried out through carefully managed programmes of closures including overnight and at weekends and in consultation with airlines so disruption is minimised.
Air traffic control equipment will be brought up to the latest standards, helping to future-proof the airport’s capabilities. This will include state-of-the-art radar systems, navigational aids, new IT and software and airfield technical equipment.
Another significant part of the programme is upgrading facilities and infrastructure such as electricity sub-stations around the site, surface water and drainage systems, to maintain compliance and support the future growth of the airport.
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 always looking at ways to improve and this investment will help us do that over the next five years and beyond.”
