People flying from East Midlands Airport are now greeted with a totally refreshed security experience once they have checked in, following a major refurbishment.
Finishing touches have now been made as part of a project to transform the security hall at East Midlands Airport, a key component of a five-year, £120m investment programme. The move was prompted by a Department of Transport requirement for all UK airports to upgrade their security scanning technology to next generation equipment.
The new larger scanners meant the security hall had to be extended, which along with the installation of the new security equipment, was carried out last year complete with new landscaping outside the security hall. This led to new security lanes with new advanced body scanners and state-of-the-art 3D baggage scanners becoming operational this summer – with the eighth and final lane completed recently – allowing customers to leave electrical items and liquids in their cabin bags and pass through security faster. Since April, 99.67% of customers passed though security in 15 minutes or less and the new equipment has enabled an extra 125 people per hour to clear security.
Bosses at East Midlands Airport also took the opportunity to completely transform the aesthetics throughout the security area, with the overhaul of the main security hall completed on the 60th anniversary of the airport’s official opening in July. The fresh look includes wooden wall panelling and halo lighting to create a brighter, more welcoming space.
This has now been extended to the entrance into security from the check-in hall, where new boarding card scanning gates have also been installed – with additional units helping to improve processing times and overall flow. Other new features are two large-scale media walls on the way into and out of the main security hall, currently showing ‘welcome’ images, with the option to digitally display important customer information such as security preparation messages and wayfinding, and celebrate significant events.
The airport’s Customer Services and Planning Director Mike Grimes said: “We’re really pleased with the way the look and feel of our security area has been massively enhanced through this project, making it much more welcoming for our customers.
“That along with the new scanning equipment improves the whole experience of going through security, enabling 300 people an hour to come through per lane compared to 175 previously. We’ve had great positive feedback on the changes from customers so far. This is one of the key areas we’ve focused on as part of our investment programme which continues to improve facilities throughout the airport.
“Combined with the expertise and professionalism of our highly trained Aviation Security Officers, these improvements ensure that East Midlands Airport continues to deliver a friendly, safe and efficient screening process for all passengers.”
Further significant changes are due to take place during the winter months at the airport, with details to be announced soon.
