2026 is the year that will see improvements to the arrivals experience at East Midlands Airport, along with other major changes continuing to also enhance the start of customers’ holidays.
A number of changes are being implemented to make arriving at the airport easier and more welcoming, as part of an ongoing £120m investment programme. This includes:
- A refresh of the look and feel of the immigration hall, including ‘welcome’ signage, local landmark images, and new wood panelling in line with improvements already carried out in the security hall
- Better wayfinding to help passengers navigate to the right place for passport checks, including colour coded archways, new queue barriers and clear signage
- New signs and redecoration of the baggage reclaim hall, along with the new toilet facilities and new Changing Place facility implemented last year
- New toilet facilities in the landside arrivals hall where people greet returning loved ones, along with the new Lost Property Hub put in place last year
- Refreshed signage and resurfacing of the Short Stay 1 car park to improve wayfinding for customers.
As well as improvements for inbound customers, a substantial refresh of the departure lounge will also benefit outbound customers. A new type of WH Smith store will sell their usual products, as well as those sold by Boots and InMotion which it is replacing. Also a new restaurant, Terracotta Italian Kitchen, will replace Frankie & Benny’s, with a new layout which will aid the flow of customers through the departure lounge. The popular Pork & Pickle food outlet has also undergone a refresh.
Also planned for completion early in the New Year is the introduction of a wheelchair-accessible sensory pod for those customers who prefer quiet and calming sensory inputs before flying. These will be located near a newly developed Assisted Travel Quiet Room in a quieter part of the terminal. The existing Quiet Room will be redeveloped into a Little Flyers area complete with games and fun activities for younger travellers. This is conveniently located next to the seating area, toilets, baby changing facilities and water fountain at Gate 14.
All of this comes on top of a wide range of improvements already carried out since the five-year investment programme was launched in 2023. This includes a new-look security hall complete with next-generation scanners, new restaurant Alembic, refurbished Castle Rock Bar & Kitchen, extra seating, new larger JD Sports shop, better wi-fi, new water refill stations and electronic customer service kiosks, extended and refurbished Escape Lounge, Meet & Greet Office improvements and a new barrierless, cashless payment system for more efficient Rapid Drop Off arrangements.
East Midlands Airport Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: “They say ‘New Year, new you,’ and that’s certainly going to be the case for the airport in 2026 with a wide range of significant improvements throughout the terminal.
“I’m pleased we will be enhancing the arrivals experience which we know from customer feedback has fallen below expectations. The changes we’re putting in place will mean there’s a proper welcome to East Midlands for inbound customers.
“For those heading out, there are huge changes underway in the departure lounge, from new stores and eateries to a new quiet room and games and activities area for younger travellers.”
https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/
