Summer 2026 is hotting up at East Midlands Airport, with just over one million people expected to travel through it during the school holidays.
The 1.1 million people choosing it as the gateway to their summer break between 7 July and 7 September – covering the school holiday period in areas surrounding the airport – make up a quarter of all passengers expected at East Midlands this year. Thursday 23 July is shaping up to be among the busiest days of the summer, with just under 20,500 passengers expected.
East Midlands customers have 70 popular destinations to choose from in Europe and North Africa, flying with low-cost airlines Jet2, TUI and Ryanair. New destinations this summer include Agadir, Costa de Almería, Preveza, Thessaloniki, Chania, Pula and Split with Jet2, and Sharm el Sheikh with TUI. A new daily service to Jersey was also launched by the newly arrived airline Loganair for the first time this summer.
Improvements in place for summer 2026. These include:
- A new-look security hall with faster next-generation scanners, allowing liquids and electrical items to be left in bags
- New and refurbished bars, restaurants and the Escape Lounge
- A brand-new one-stop WH Smith shop, including health and beauty, food and audio technology, along with other pre-flight essentials
- Self-service Meet & Greet kiosks for easy key drop-off and vehicle collection
- A new Little Flyers play zone
- A new quiet room and a first-of-its-kind sensory pod for customers who need to get away from the departure lounge hubbub
- Extra seating, upgraded toilets and water fountains
- Cashless payment arrangements for quicker, easier drop-off.
East Midlands Airport Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: “It’s shaping up to be another great summer getaway from East Midlands this year, with new destinations and an even better airport experience than ever.
“With 99.7% of customers clearing security in under 15 minutes and significant improvements to terminal facilities, we’re in a strong position to give people the relaxing, effortless start to their holidays they expect when they fly with us.”
