Airport News
East Midlands Airport to invest in snow-clearing equipment
Wed, 19 Jan, 2011
East Midlands Airport is set to invest in a range of new equipment, which will help it to remain operational in the event of heavy snowfall.
BBC News reports that the facility is to spend around £3 million on gear which will enable it to keep its runways free of obstructions.
Some of the new equipment earmarked for purchase includes new snow blowers, gritters and tractors.
Chief executive of East Midlands Airport Brad Miller praised the efforts of staff in keeping the facility open during the recent spate of excessive snowfall.
However, he claimed that they will be unable to carry on their work without the necessary tools.
December 2010 saw widespread travel disruption across Europe due to harsh winter weather and many facilities were forced to cancel or delay flights.
As a result of its performance during the period, Heathrow Airport recently revealed that an independent inquiry would be held to discover what lessons could be learned by its response to the snowfall.
East Midlands Airport to receive Jet2 boost
Tue, 23 Nov, 2010
East Midlands Airport will see flights from budget airline Jet2 doubled as part of an expansion drive by the company.
The carrier announced its second record-breaking summer reason in a row and revealed that nearly three million passengers have been catered for over the period.
BBC News reports that Jet2 plans to add another Boeing 757, in addition to a further 39 staff at East Midlands Airport.
This comes as part of a total of 600 new jobs which the company plans to create, as well as bolstering its fleet with four more aeroplanes.
Jet2 boss Philip Meeson expressed excitement for 2011 and claimed that the carrier has had a "very successful" year, despite economic setbacks.
"We put this down to our friendly service and the popularity of our convenient flight times, 22kg baggage allowance and allocated seats and points for free flights that reward our loyal customers," he said.
Earlier in the month, the airport revealed the supporting role it would play in this year's 2011 Miss Sunderland competition.
East Midlands Airport under new management
Tue, 12 Oct, 2010
East Midlands Airport has announced a replacement for its current managing director Penny Coates.
Brad Miller, who presently serves as projects and procurement director for Manchester Airports Group, will take over from Ms Coates as of this month.
"I'm obviously very proud to have been chosen as the new MD and I'm looking to grow our market share at East Midlands," he said.
Mr Miller went on to highlight his commitment to bringing "new ideas to the fore" at East Midlands Airport and noted that there was "much to work on" in the freight community at the hub.
Penny Coates will take over the role of chief operating officer at Manchester Airports Group and expressed her delight at Mr Miller's appointment, claiming he will do an "excellent job".
Last month, East Midlands Airport received the award for Star Regional UK Airport as part of the Travel Bulletin 2010 Star Awards.
East Midlands Airport prepares to welcome Jet2.com
Fri, 12 Mar, 2010
East Midlands Airport is gearing up for the arrival of low-cost airline Jet2.com.
The Leeds-based airline commences operations from the airport in May and will run flights to Corfu, Tenerife, Sharm el Sheikh, Lanzarote, Heraklion, Paphos and Dalaman as well as winter services to Chambery and Geneva.
Speaking after the announcement of the new routes last year, Jet2.com's managing director Ian Doubtfire said: "The exceptional transport links to the airport allow us to extend our catchment area further into Derby and surrounding cities."
Mr Doubtfire said the airline believed there was "huge growth potential" in the East Midlands itself, and added that booking figures were encouraging.
East Midlands Airport is Jet2.com's ninth UK hub and the first flight departs on May 19th. The budget carrier will initially fly to seven destinations with 21 cabin crew working from the airport, and it is expected over 200 new jobs will be created.
East Midlands Airport braced for bmibaby expansion
Mon, 14 Sep, 2009
Low-cost airline bmibaby is planning a major expansion at its East Midlands Airport base which will see a number of new flights take effect.
The carrier's growth at East Midlands is broken down into three stages - the first involving the establishment of three additional aircraft at the airport.
New flights to Alghero, Barcelona, Bastia, Cork, Dubrovnik, Malta and Venice will also be launched by bmibaby, which is also planning to increase frequencies on both its winter and summer routes.
The destination of Palma will also be added to its winter schedule, with the combined changes increasing bmibaby's presence at the airport by 40 per cent.
They will also allow an additional 350,000 passengers to fly with the airline from East Midlands over the course of next year.
As well as East Midlands, bmibaby has bases at Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester.
Its first flight took off in March 2002 between East Midlands and Malaga.
Ryanair offering rescue fares from East Midlands Airport
Fri, 04 Sep, 2009
Easyjet passengers with East Midlands Airport parking reservations needn't cancel their plans just yet.
Although the budget airline recently exited from the airport, competitor Ryanair has announced that it will be offering 'rescue fares' to these holidaymakers on a range of different routes.
Those who had their travel plans disrupted will be able to fly to Alicante, Barcelona (Girona), Faro and Malaga from East Midlands for just £35 one way.
The fee includes all taxes and charges and will apply to flights to and from those destinations from January 10th 2010.
Flights can be booked with Ryanair at the special price between now and September 15th.
This month, the budget carrier also announced changes to its baggage policies across all airports.
From October 1st, passengers will be able to check in two backs each with an allowance of up to 15Kg, although fees for people who exceed this limit are set to rise.
East Midlands Airport becomes base for Jet2.com
Fri, 28 Aug, 2009
Low-cost airline Jet2.com will launch seven new flights from East Midlands Airport next summer.
From May 2010, the carrier will introduce routes to Lanzarote, Dalaman, Corfu and Crete, while services to Cyprus, Tenerife and Sharm El Sheikh will also come into effect.
The investment at East Midlands will create 250 jobs in the region and result in 130,000 additional aeroplane seats.
Flight passengers will also be able to embark on package holidays from the airport thanks to tour operator Jet2holidays.com.
Jet2.com managing director Ian Doubtfire said that the airline was increasing services when other competitors were cutting theirs.
"We see the region as having huge growth potential for our leisure business and the exceptional transport links to the airport allows us to extend Jet2.com's catchment area further into Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and surrounding areas," he commented.
Elsewhere, Jet2.com will launch five new routes from Newcastle next summer, which will result in the creation of 450 new jobs.
East Midlands Airport commends 'quiet airlines'
Tue, 02 Jun, 2009
Airlines that operate from East Midlands Airport (EMA) have been commended for helping the hub to be a "responsible neighbour".
The facility commented it levies stringent rules on the firms it houses – and nine have achieved an "outstanding performance" in minimising noise for local residents.
Star Air, Thomas Cook and easyJet are among the nine companies commended for their work and they were given a certificate at the annual Pilot Awards Ceremony recently.
Under the regulations, carriers must achieve a 95 per cent score in keeping within "tightly defined" flight paths and reduce the sound of landings wherever possible.
Announcing the gongs, director of sustainability at EMA Neil Robinson remarked it sets challenging targets for its airlines.
"I would like to congratulate the airlines and their pilots for going the extra mile and consistently achieving such high standards," he said.
Travellers can fly from the hub to a number of international destinations, including Cologne, Paris and Amsterdam.
People choosing to drive to the facility to use its airport parking are advised it is located just off the M1 motorway.
East Midlands Airport resumes full Mexico services
Wed, 27 May, 2009
East Midlands Airport has resumed its full services to Mexico following the swine flu outbreak.
Last week (May 19th) the facility told passengers to ring its helplines to find out if their flights are running, but has now updated this advice.
Customers no longer need to contact the facility as Thomson and First Choice – the firms that run the South American route – will get in touch with them if there are any alterations to their itinerary.
As previously reported, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office no longer advises against travel to Mexico.
Those booked to head to the country today (May 27th) are permitted to amend their destination or date of travel as they wish.
However, people with planned journeys between May 28th and 30th June will incur a £50 fee if they choose to change the details of their trip or cancel.
From July 1st, normal booking conditions will apply, the bosses of the terminal said in a statement.
East Midlands Airport offers flights to a number of other destinations, including Edinburgh, Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam.
Those choosing to take advantage of its airport parking options are advised it is located off the M1 and A435.
East Midlands Airport updates passengers on Mexico situation
Tue, 19 May, 2009
East Midlands Airport has updated its passengers on the situation regarding flights to Mexico.
First Choice and Thomson services from the facility to the South American country will begin again "in the near future", it said in a statement.
This is after the foreign and commonwealth office revised their advice on travel to the destination – it now no longer recommends people avoid heading to the country.
However, Thomson and First Choice will not run their scheduled flight to Cancun tomorrow (May 22nd) as they decided to stop all routes to Mexico up to an including this date.
Passengers who were due to travel to the destination up until May 28th are advised to ring their helplines to get the most up-to-date information.
Consumers who are booked on a flight after this date should not be affected, the release added.
East Midlands Airport runs a number of routes to other destinations, such as Berlin, Dublin, Faro and Goa.
Those heading to the hub may want to take advantage of its airport parking options rather than use public transport or stay overnight in a local hotel.
East Midlands Airport gains new service to 'beautiful' Ireland
Wed, 06 May, 2009
East Midlands Airport passengers will able to experience a new city with "outstanding natural beauty" in Ireland, it has been announced.
Co-op Holidays and Real Ireland have joined up to offer direct flights from the facility to Donegal.
They will depart every Saturday from July 4th, until August 22nd later this year.
Passengers have been offered a number of seven-day holiday deals, including self-catering in coastal houses and bed and breakfast options.
Director of marketing at the hub Caroline Plant said she was "extremely pleased" with the development.
"Our Irish routes have always proved popular with passengers and we are confident that the new tailored holiday packages [...] will offer greater choice," she commented.
Managing director of Real Ireland Shaun Rodgers added that the destination was home to a number of attractions, including pubs where traditional music performances and storytelling take place.
Those wishing to drive to East Midlands Airport to take advantage of its parking facilities are advised it is located near the M1, off J 23a.
Using Google's maps function could help to plan a route.
East Midlands Airport runway expansion given green light
Wed, 22 Apr, 2009
East Midlands Airport expansions have been given the green light by local authority officials.
Leicestershire county council's Development, Control and Regulatory board said it had "no strategic objection" to the extension of the runways at the facility.
An extra 190 metres has been proposed – bringing them to a total of 3,080 metres - including attaching "blast pads" in place of the current "strips" at either end of the tarmac.
Long-haul flights to destinations such as America could be more frequent from the airport if the application is approved.
The council commented that the hub's calculations with regard to carbon emissions and noise pollution were "reasonable".
It is meeting again later this work to further discuss the plans.
People driving to the airport to take advantage of parking facilities are advised that it is located at Junction 23a of the M1.
Those with satnavs can input the postcode DE74 2SA to get directions.
Nottingham airport passengers to benefit from new train station
Tue, 27 Jan, 2009
Airport parking passengers can reap benefits from the new East Midlands Parkway train station.
The new station, which was opened by transport minister Geoff Hoon, provides a shuttle bus twice an hour to East Midlands Airport.
Local resident Bill Brazier told thisisnottingham.co.uk that air passengers could save money and time with the new facility.
"It's ideal as it means I can now avoid having to travel into Nottingham and the car parking charges at East Midlands Airport," he said.
The new station is the result of a £25 million project.
Pre-booking at East Midlands airport can save passengers money on car parking there.
The car park is currently in a temporary location, having been relocated to allow for extensions being made to the front of the terminal.
Currently, buses from the car park have the coach park as their pick-up and set-down point, in an arrangement set to last for about a fortnight.
East Midlands Airport to welcome 160,000 Christmas passengers
Tue, 23 Dec, 2008
Approximately 160,000 passengers will be travelling to and from East Midlands Airport between December 19th and January 2nd, the hub has confirmed.
Boxing Day is expected to be especially busy, while December 27th and January 2nd will also see a large number of passengers passing through the airport.
Travellers will even be flying on Christmas Day, with three arrivals and three departures to Las Palmas, Lanzarote and Sharm el Sheikh scheduled.
Penny Coates, managing director, East Midlands Airport said: "In the run up to the festive period we are asking customers to prepare well in advance and check hand baggage restrictions before arriving at the airport."
She also urged travellers driving to the hub and perhaps leaving their car in airport parking facilities to arrive at least two hours prior to departure to allow for heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions.
Humberside Airport is also expecting to welcome a large number of passengers over the festive season, with the majority flying to Amsterdam on catching connections to destinations such as the Canary Islands.
East Midlands Airport wins two travel awards
Thu, 18 Sep, 2008
East Midlands Airport has been given two prestigious travel awards in the last week, it has emerged.
The hub first won Airport of the Year at the Travel Trade Gazette awards, pipping both Birmingham Airport and Luton to the accolade.
It went on to collect the Star Regional Aiport gong at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards on Monday (September 15th).
Penny Coates, managing director at East Midlands Airport, said she was delighted with the recognition and with both of the prizes.
"These awards show the confidence, trust and respect our colleagues in the travel industry have for the Airport and we are delighted that this has been recognised in a very competitive marketplace," she added.
East Midlands Airport is situated near Castle Donington in Leicestershire and lies between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.
It recorded 5.4 million passengers in 2007, an increase of 14.5 per cent on the figures seen in 2006.
13 people responsible for 89% of airport complaints
Wed, 30 Jul, 2008
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has revealed that nine out of ten complaints about its services are down to the same 13 people.
Complaints two years ago totalled 7,978, dropping to 7,128 in 2007. Out of this figure, 6,314 of these complaints came from 13 people.
Aircraft noise and low-flying aircraft are the two main types of grievance, which strongly suggests that local residents are responsible most of the complaints.
The figures were revealed in the airport's community and environment investment report.
A spokesman for EMA said the airport logs, investigates and responds by letter to every complaint.
"In some cases we visit the person and the feedback has sometimes helped us change the way aircraft operate," they added.
EMA is owned by Manchester Airport Group, which also controls Bournemouth, Humberside and Manchester airports.
560,000-plus used East Midlands in June
Tue, 29 Jul, 2008
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has revealed that 563,159 passengers used the hub in June, a five per cent increase on a year ago.
Destinations outside the eurozone saw the biggest hike in passengers. This has been attributed to the fact that holidaymakers are opting for cheaper destinations like Turkey.
In recent weeks, the strength of the euro against the pound has led to a decline in the number of passengers heading to traditional European hotspots like Spain.
Penny Coates, EMA managing director, said she is delighted to the airport has exceeded half a million passengers.
In May, EMA handled 534,690 travellers, which is the first month ever that more than half a million passengers came through the gateway.
At the end of October, Ryanair will launch three new flights from EMA to Faro, Fuerteventura and Prague.
"We are certain that the additional three Ryanair routes will prove very popular," Ms Coates added.
German flights take off from East Midlands
Wed, 13 Feb, 2008
East Midlands Airport has announced that passengers will be able to fly direct to the German city of Cologne with bmi regional.
The new flights to Cologne will run every day, except Saturdays, with fares starting from £49 each way.
Director of marketing and communications at East Midlands Airport Caroline Plant said the new service would present holidaymakers with an easy link to the Rhineland and the historic cities of Cologne and Bonn.
She added: "The direct flights will also prove popular with business users, whether they are conducting business in Cologne, Bonn or elsewhere in Germany."
It has also been announced that 2007 was a record year for passengers using East Midlands Airport, with an increase of 14.5 per cent from 2006.
This could be attributed to the increased range of destinations, from Belfast to Jamaica, which led to 5,414,299 passengers using the regional airport for their travel requirements.
East Midlands Airport scoops top industry prize
Tue, 20 Nov, 2007
East Midlands Airport has been named the Airport of the Year in the 2007 British Travel Awards.
The hub, which has scooped five travel awards so far this year, received the accolade at an event in London last week.
Independent experts voted for East Midlands Airport based on its interaction with the travel industry, how it handles passengers at its terminal, environmental credentials and how it supports and encourages the growth of charter operators.
East Midlands Airport managing director Penny Coates said this year has been "incredible" for the airport.
She added that this latest prize "an amazing example" of how well the airport is perceived by its trade peers.
"We are very proud of the titles we have been awarded this year which recognise the hard work and dedication of our great team," Ms Coates concluded.
In the destinations category of the awards, Australia was named the dream travel location, while Cornwall was named the favourite UK destination.
East Midlands Airport goes green
Thu, 18 Oct, 2007
East Midlands Airport is planning to generate ten per cent of its power using wind turbines, a spokesperson has said.
She claimed that the facility is showing its rivals how to be truly eco-conscious, something that was reflected in its recent receipt of the World Travel Awards title for greenest airport.
The World's Leading Eco Friendly Airport Award, as it is officially known, is recognition for the work it has undertaken and its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2012.
Furthermore, she noted that she it is "the only UK airport to have successfully retained the international environment standard ISO14001 for four years running".
The turbines, which are to be installed by a company based in Lancaster, will stand at 31.5 metres above the airport site. Officials believe that they will be operational by spring 2008.
Penny Coates, East Midlands Airport's managing director, hailed the new installations as "fantastic news".
Airport wins green accolade
Mon, 15 Oct, 2007
East Midlands Airport has won a prestigious green award for its efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to combat climate change.
The hub was named World's Leading Eco Friendly Airport at the World Travel Awards, beating rivals Berlin Tegal, Kansai International, Narita International and Indianapolis.
The award was given in recognition of several green initiatives launched by the airport as it seeks to become carbon neutral by 2012.
So far the hub has built an environmentally-friendly pier containing ground heating pumps, wind catchers and water recycling facilities. It also plans to generate ten per cent of on site electricity using wind turbines in the near future.
Penny Coates, managing director of the airport, said: "Winning World's Leading Eco Friendly Airport not only puts us on the map with the world but it also highlights the east midlands region as a whole and it is something that everyone should be proud of."
In 2002 East Midlands Airport became the first in the UK to be certified to the Environmental Standard ISO14001.
East Midlands Airport 'is leisure passengers' favourite'
Tue, 25 Sep, 2007
East Midlands Airport is a favourite with leisure passengers, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Figures from the CAA show that the airport handles the largest proportion of leisure passengers, with 87.6 of those using the gateway in pursuit of fun and freedom.
Managing director of East Midlands Airport Penny Coates comments that the figures reflect the hard work the airport staff have put into customer service.
According to Ms Coates, the airport is increasing in popularity.
"In 2007, we have had month-on-month passenger growth; the August bank holiday alone was one of the highest year on year increases in the country," she remarks.
Alicante was the most popular destination travelled to from the airport in 2006, followed by Malaga, Palma de Majorca, Dublin and Rome.
For those wanting to add to the convenience of a leisure flight, booking airport parking in advance may help.
East Midlands Airport announced recently that flights to Gambia this winter would also be available to passengers on Tuesdays on Fridays.