Airport hoping for busiest weekend in months after uplift in demand for half-term

A key airport is expecting its busiest weekend since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic with more than 24,000 passengers expected to travel through the hub.

The number of people figure expected to use East Midlands Airport (EMA) in the next few days equates to 50% of pre-pandemic passenger numbers, when compared to the same weekend in 2019.

Passenger numbers this summer have not exceeded a third of what they were pre-pandemic, after flights resumed in May following lockdown at the start of this year.

However, since changes to the traffic light system were introduced, coupled with passengers no longer needing to do a day two PCR test on return to the UK, there has been an uplift in demand.

However, operations at the airport – part of the Manchester Airports Group – have experienced a boost from the reduced number of passenger flights with express air freight operators based at East Midlands busier than ever.

In the coming winter months in the run up to Black Friday and Christmas, the likes of DHL, UPS, FedEx and Royal Mail will work flat out to ensure presents, household gifts and other items reach consumers in time.

The EMA cargo operation has also thrown a lifeline to regional businesses that rely on imports and exports. It is already seeing a 10% increase in the volume of goods compared with 2020, so records are likely to be broken again this winter.

Clare James, East Midlands Airport’s managing director, said: “I’ve been in this role for 15 months and I am only just starting to see the passenger operation come to life. It’s been such an unsettled time for everyone involved with this airport.

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“Our full recovery will be gradual but if things continue as they are I’m hopeful that, come the dark long days of January when the Christmas and New Year festivities are over, people’s attention will turn to sun, sea and sangria and booking overseas breaks next year.”

She added: “As the pandemic eases, I can look a bit further ahead and begin thinking more strategically about how this airport continues to provide an invaluable service to all customers. There are big opportunities around the corner.

“The future is not without its challenges, but there’s much to look forward to.”

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