East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is a commercial airport located at Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England, serving the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom. It operates passenger services, primarily for low-cost carriers, and is one of the UK's leading airports for air cargo. The airport is owned and operated by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), the UK's largest airport operator group, which also owns Manchester, London Stansted, and Bournemouth airports. EMA's catchment area covers the East Midlands, including Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby, and it competes with other regional airports such as Birmingham and Luton. The airport has a single terminal and a runway capable of handling large aircraft, supporting both passenger and freight operations. Its cargo operations are significant, with dedicated freight airlines and integrators using it as a hub. The airport is a key economic driver for the region, providing employment and connectivity. Over the years, it has undergone various expansions and improvements to its facilities. As a brand, East Midlands Airport is positioned as a convenient, customer-focused gateway for both leisure and business travelers in the heart of England, with a strong emphasis on efficiency and regional accessibility.

East Midlands Airport has its origins in the Second World War, when it was established as a Royal Air Force station known as RAF Castle Donington. After the war, the site was developed into a civilian airport, opening for commercial operations in the 1960s. It was officially opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1965. The airport initially served as a base for British Midland Airways (later BMI), which established a hub there. Over the decades, EMA grew to become a significant passenger airport, particularly after the rise of low-cost carriers in the 1990s and 2000s. Airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2.com have operated substantial services from the airport. In 2001, the airport was acquired by Manchester Airports Group (MAG) as part of its expansion strategy. MAG invested in terminal improvements and infrastructure upgrades. The airport also became a major cargo hub, with operators like DHL and UPS establishing facilities. In 2010, a new air traffic control tower was opened, and in 2012, a major runway resurfacing project was completed. The airport has continued to invest in passenger facilities, including a revamped departure lounge and improved security screening. In recent years, EMA has focused on sustainability, aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2032. The airport's cargo operations have remained robust, handling a significant proportion of the UK's air freight. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted passenger numbers, EMA has recovered and continues to serve as a vital transport link for the region.

• 2012

  Major runway resurfacing completed

• 2010

  New air traffic control tower opened

• 2001

  Acquired by Manchester Airports Group (MAG)

• 1965

  Opened as a civilian airport by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

A key regional airport in the UK, focusing on low-cost passenger travel and air cargo, positioned as a convenient gateway to the East Midlands.

• Passenger terminal

  Single terminal handling domestic and international flights, with retail and dining facilities.

• Cargo hub

  Dedicated cargo area used by freight airlines and integrators such as DHL and UPS.

• Runway

  Single runway capable of handling large commercial aircraft.

• 2026

  Manchester Airports Group confirms data breach affecting 8.7 million customers

  Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which operates Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands airports, confirmed a sophisticated cybersecurity incident resulting in the theft of customer data affecting approximately 8.7 million customers, mostly email addresses collected during public Wi-Fi sign-ups. MAG stated the attack did not involve ransomware and did not compromise passenger safety or operational security, notified the Information Commissioner's Office, and temporarily revoked access to its Manage My Booking service.

  Source

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• 2026.10.06

  Reported2026.10.06

  East Midlands Airport becomes first UK airport to offer passport-free contactless e-gates[5]东米德兰兹机场成为英国首个提供免护照接触式电子闸口的机场bbc.co.uk

  On 6 October 2026, East Midlands Airport became the first UK airport to offer contactless e-gates that use facial technology to verify arriving passengers against immigration, travel and passport information without showing a passport, introduced by Border Force. Officials said testing showed the system is up to 25% faster than using a passport, and the Home Office said the technology will be rolled out to all UK airports by early 2027.

• Unconfirmed

  Reported2026.08.28

  Manchester Airports Group confirms data breach affecting 8.7 million customers[3]Manchester Airports Group confirms data breach affecting 8.7 million customersinsight.scmagazineuk.com

  Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which operates Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands airports, confirmed a sophisticated cybersecurity incident resulting in the theft of customer data affecting approximately 8.7 million customers, mostly email addresses collected during public Wi-Fi sign-ups. MAG stated the attack did not involve ransomware and did not compromise passenger safety or operational security, notified the Information Commissioner's Office, and temporarily revoked access to its Manage My Booking service.

• 2026.08.27

  Reported2026.08.27

  Manchester Airports Group discloses cyberattack affecting 8.7 million customers[4]Manchester Airports Group confirms data breach affecting 8.7 million customerspunchng.com

  Manchester Airports Group announced that a cyberattack over the weekend compromised the data of 8.7 million customers at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, including email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes; MAG said flights and airport operations were unaffected and bank and payment details were not affected.

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1. 1East Midlands Airport - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Manchester Airports Group - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
3. 3Manchester Airports Group confirms data breach affecting 8.7 million customersinsight.scmagazineuk.com
4. 4Manchester Airports Group confirms data breach affecting 8.7 million customerspunchng.com
5. 5东米德兰兹机场成为英国首个提供免护照接触式电子闸口的机场bbc.co.uk
6. 6Manchester Airports Hit by Major Cyberattack: Why 8.7 Million Passengers Are Being Warnednewsx.com
7. 7Three UK Airports Hit by Cyberattack: 8.7m Customers' Data Was Accessed, With Parking, Wi-Fi and Car Details Exposedibtimes.co.uk