East Midlands Airport is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year, with almost 150,000 passengers expected to travel through its terminal during the Easter break.
Spanning March 30 to April 10, the holiday rush marks the first major getaway of the summer season and sets the tone for what the airport anticipates will be a strong year for leisure travel.
For millions across the region, East Midlands Airport has long been the preferred gateway to Europe and north Africa.
Its appeal lies in its accessibility, straightforward road connections and a terminal experience designed to minimise stress and maximise convenience.
This Easter, that experience is being elevated further thanks to a wave of new facilities unveiled following a winter of investment and refurbishment.
A Surge in Passenger Demand For East Midlands Airport
The airport’s busiest day is expected to fall on Thursday 2 April, when around 7,400 passengers will pass through the terminal.
A total of 42 departures are scheduled that day alone, connecting travellers to a wide range of popular destinations.
These include perennial favourites such as Malaga, Alicante, Faro and Palma, alongside island escapes like Lanzarote, Rhodes and Ibiza.
City breaks to Barcelona, Rome, Valencia, Krakow and Dublin also feature prominently, while Sharm el Sheikh continues to draw strong demand for sun‑seekers looking further afield.
This breadth of choice underscores the airport’s role as a key regional hub, offering convenient access to around 70 destinations across Europe and north Africa during the Easter period.
New Facilities Enhance the Passenger Journey
Travellers heading off on their Easter holidays will be among the first to experience a suite of new facilities introduced as part of the airport’s ongoing £120 million investment programme.
These upgrades are designed to streamline the journey from check‑in to boarding while improving comfort and accessibility for all passengers.
A new dining option, Terracotta Italian Kitchen, opens its doors on March 31, bringing a fresh restaurant concept to the departure lounge.
Just days later, on April 2, WHSmith launches its expanded one‑stop shop offering books, travel essentials, meal deals, audio accessories and health and beauty products.
Families travelling with young children will benefit from the newly opened Little Flyers room, a bright and engaging space featuring a role‑play aircraft set on a runway and interactive airport‑themed games.
For passengers seeking a calmer environment, the airport has introduced a quiet room and sensory pod, providing dedicated spaces for those with anxiety or neurodivergent conditions.
One of the most significant upgrades is the transformation of the security hall.
Now equipped with next‑generation scanners, the redesigned area offers a brighter, more welcoming environment and significantly faster processing times.
The airport reports that average security waits remain below 15 minutes, a key factor in maintaining a smooth and predictable departure experience.
Additional improvements include a refreshed immigration hall designed to create a warmer welcome home, faster self‑serve key collection for Meet and Greet customers and upgraded toilet facilities throughout the terminal.
A Strategic Investment in Passenger Experience at East Midlands Airport
Steve Griffiths, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, says the Easter period represents an important milestone for the airport’s summer season.
“The Easter holidays signal the start of our summer season and are the first big getaway of the year,” he said.
“We continue to serve popular holiday destinations in Europe and beyond and remain the airport of choice for millions of people from around the region every year.”
He emphasised that the latest upgrades form part of a long‑term commitment to enhancing the airport experience.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer significant improvements to the customer experience throughout the terminal from this Easter onwards as we continue our £120m investment programme.”
“It’s part of our ongoing commitment to make East Midlands Airport the easy way to get away.”
Overall, it’s expected to be a very busy period for the airport that will look to capitalise on revenue during this time.
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