The ranking of ‘outstanding’ gives customers the assurance that they can travel through the airport safe in the knowledge that security teams are highly trained and they will receive excellent customer service.
People using EMA to travel to Europe this year have on average passed through security in under 15 minutes.
The CAA’s quality assurance scheme ensures that the training of airport security staff meets the expected standards to keep people safe when flying from UK airports, with EMA last assessed as outstanding two years ago.
Airport security staff are required to be trained in several disciplines including body-searches, identifying ‘threatening’ objects, x-ray, baggage screening and patrols. Also included is a module on modern slavery so staff are well-equipped to look out for behaviours which may indicate people smuggling.
EMA has a dedicated in-house training team who carry out refresher training sessions for existing staff, as well as training for new recruits as the airport gears up for the seasonal increase in passenger numbers. January will see a new drive for more security staff, who will need to be qualified ready for April when the peak season begins.
Eliza Eabry, EMA’s Security Training Manager, welcomed the recent assessment. She said: “Safety and security is our number one priority so it’s vital we get this part of the airport operation right.
“Another ‘outstanding’ assessment of our security training from the Civil Aviation Authority is a fantastic endorsement of our efforts. This gives peace of mind to our customers and is at the heart of the hassle-free experience they have come to expect from East Midlands Airport.”