East Midlands Airport reveals this summer’s destinations

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is gearing up for its busiest year for passenger travel since before the pandemic.

With more flights and extra capacity in 2023, those planning to use the airport this year will be spoilt for choice. Between April and October, the airlines that serve EMA will fly to 60 destinations between them including the places that are most popular with UK holidaymakers. 

More than half of all East Midlands passengers fly to Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries. This summer the most frequently flown to destinations will be Palma (Majorca) with 35 weekly flights, followed by Alicante (26 weekly flights), Faro - Portugal (24 weekly flights) and Malaga (23).

Two new destinations will also be on offer this year thanks to Ryanair flying to Cork and Eastern Airways’ new flight to Newquay in Cornwall.

East Midlands Airport is served by seven airlines – Ryanair, JET2.com. TUI, Flybe, Eastern Airways, Aurigny and Blue Islands who will fly more than 360 flights a week to and from EMA this summer.

With no travel restrictions hampering the start of 2023 as there were last year, the airport’s preparations for this year’s peak season are already underway. Roles in security, customer services, car parking and assisted travel teams are being recruited to while training courses are already filling up with potential new starters.

Steve Griffiths, East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director, says: “From Easter onwards the East Midlands passenger operation really comes to life and the airport will be buzzing with many people taking their first trips of the year. Building on the success of last year’s operation, we will deliver an even stronger summer season. Confidence is returning to the sector, and this is shown by the willingness of airlines and tour operators to sell more seats and add more flights. We look forward to extending a very warm welcome to holidaymakers who will use EMA this year.”

Passengers returning this summer will also see changes to the retail and food and drink units within the departure lounge. Over the coming weeks, work is being carried out to give some units including Burger King and Frankie and Benny’s a facelift while work to Pork and Pickle and Starbucks will take place ahead of the Easter holidays. Later in the year work will also start on the Castle Rock pub providing a further boost to the passenger experience.

The airport finished 2022 by welcoming 154,257 passengers in December bringing the rolling monthly total number of passenger last year to 3.1 million.