Air Freight from East Midlands Airport: EMA Collections & Deliveries
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has become one of the UK's most important airports for air cargo and express freight.
For businesses across the Midlands, its central location and dedicated freight operation make it an important gateway for international shipments.
But getting goods onto an aircraft is only part of the journey.
Cargo still needs to move between the airport, warehouses, manufacturers, distributors and customers. For businesses using East Midlands Airport regularly, reliable road transport can therefore be just as important as the air-freight service itself.
WSUK provides logistics support for businesses requiring air-freight collections and deliveries connected with East Midlands Airport, helping connect businesses across the Midlands with the airport and their wider supply chains.
East Midlands Airport and air cargo
East Midlands Airport has established itself as a major dedicated freight hub.
The airport describes itself as the UK's number one express air-freight hub, and its cargo operation has been experiencing significant growth.
During the 2025/26 financial year, East Midlands Airport handled 413,664 tonnes of cargo, an increase of 12.5% on the previous year and the first time since the pandemic that annual cargo volumes exceeded 400,000 tonnes.
The airport's cargo operation is anchored by major logistics operators including DHL, UPS and FedEx, while several new cargo operators have also started services from the airport.
This makes EMA particularly relevant to businesses that depend on reliable and time-sensitive international freight movements.
East Midlands Airport codes
When arranging air freight through East Midlands Airport, you will commonly see the following codes:
IATA: EMA
ICAO: EGNX
The IATA code EMA is widely used within airline and freight documentation.
The airport's postcode is DE74 2SA, placing it near Castle Donington in Leicestershire.
These details can be useful when coordinating collections, deliveries and transport documentation around an air-freight movement.
Why East Midlands Airport is important to Midlands logistics
One of EMA's major advantages is its central UK location.
The airport has direct access to the M1 and the wider motorway and road network, allowing freight to move quickly from the airport into different parts of the UK.
East Midlands Airport states that its location provides access to 85% of the UK population within four hours, while its cargo operation has 24/7 access to the road network.
That makes the airport particularly relevant to businesses operating across:
- Leicestershire
- Northamptonshire
- Warwickshire
- Derbyshire
- Nottinghamshire
- the wider Midlands
- surrounding UK distribution networks
For businesses operating around the M1 corridor, EMA can be a particularly important part of their international logistics strategy.
Air freight collections to East Midlands Airport
An air-freight shipment doesn't necessarily begin at the airport.
A manufacturer may need goods collected from its production facility.
A distributor may need stock moved from its warehouse.
An exporter may need cargo collected from a customer before being delivered to a freight forwarder or cargo handling facility at EMA.
WSUK can support the road transport element of these movements.
This can include collections from locations such as:
- Coventry
- Birmingham
- Leicester
- Northampton
- Rugby
- Lutterworth
- Daventry
- Nuneaton
- Warwick
- Hinckley
- surrounding Midlands locations
The exact transport requirements will depend on the shipment, collection window, cargo type and receiving arrangements at the airport.
Air freight deliveries from East Midlands Airport
The journey continues once cargo arrives in the UK.
Imported goods may need collecting from East Midlands Airport and transporting to a warehouse, distribution centre, manufacturer or final customer.
For businesses receiving international shipments regularly, dependable transport from EMA can become an important part of the wider supply chain.
WSUK can support air-freight deliveries from East Midlands Airport into the Midlands and wider UK, helping businesses move cargo beyond the airport and towards its final destination.
The road journey can be particularly important where shipments are time-sensitive and need to connect efficiently with warehouse operations, manufacturing schedules or customer deliveries.
24/7 cargo operation at East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport's cargo operation is designed around the requirements of freight rather than simply passenger travel.
The airport has highlighted its ability to provide 24/7 access for cargo operations and its direct connection with the UK's motorway network.
This is particularly relevant for time-critical freight.
Cargo does not necessarily move according to normal office hours, so having transport arrangements capable of working around airport and cargo-handling requirements can be important.
WSUK can help businesses arrange the logistics surrounding their air-freight movements according to the requirements of each shipment.
East Midlands Airport's growing cargo network
EMA's cargo operation continues to expand.
In 2026, the airport reported new cargo operations and investment in its freight infrastructure, including a new cargo facility operated by YunExpress.
The new 7,000-square-metre facility is designed to support cargo handling and forms part of the airport's growing international freight network.
The airport has also invested £10.5 million in new airfield gatehouses, improving secure access to the cargo aprons and increasing the capacity for vehicles and airport personnel.
For businesses using EMA, these developments demonstrate the airport's growing importance within the UK's air-cargo network.
Air freight from Leicester, Northampton, Coventry and the wider Midlands
The central position of East Midlands Airport makes it particularly relevant to businesses across the Midlands.
For example:
Leicester to East Midlands Airport
Businesses around Leicester can use EMA as a nearby international freight gateway, with road connections providing access to the airport.
Northampton to East Midlands Airport
Businesses around Northampton can connect into the airport via the wider M1 corridor and surrounding road network.
Lutterworth to East Midlands Airport
Lutterworth's position close to the M1 and M69 makes EMA an important consideration for businesses moving goods internationally.
Coventry to East Midlands Airport
Businesses in Coventry can also use EMA as part of their international logistics arrangements, depending on the requirements of the shipment and its destination.
This is why choosing an airport isn't simply about measuring the shortest distance.
The shipment's destination, freight operator, available service, collection location and required delivery times all need to be considered.
East Midlands Airport vs Birmingham Airport and Heathrow
East Midlands Airport isn't automatically the right airport for every air-freight shipment.
Businesses may also use:
Birmingham Airport (BHX) — particularly relevant to businesses across Birmingham, Coventry and the West Midlands.
London Heathrow (LHR) — particularly important for international connectivity and a huge range of global cargo movements.
East Midlands Airport (EMA) — particularly significant for dedicated cargo and express freight operations.
The best option depends on the individual shipment and the logistics arrangements behind it.
Our guide to [Air Freight from the Midlands: Heathrow, Birmingham & East Midlands Airport Explained] looks at the different options in more detail.
Regular East Midlands Airport air-freight collections and deliveries
For businesses moving air cargo regularly, reliability is essential.
A shipment may need to be collected at a specific time, delivered into an airport cargo facility, collected following arrival and then transported onwards to a warehouse or customer.
Each stage needs to fit into the wider supply chain.
WSUK supports businesses requiring regular logistics movements connected with East Midlands Airport, helping coordinate the road transport surrounding their air-freight requirements.
Whether you're exporting goods from the Midlands or importing cargo into the UK, the road journey between the airport and your business remains a critical part of the overall operation.
Air Freight from East Midlands Airport with WSUK
WSUK provides logistics solutions for businesses across the Midlands requiring reliable transport around their air-freight movements.
From Leicester, Northampton, Lutterworth, Coventry, Rugby and Birmingham to surrounding Midlands locations, we can help businesses arrange the road transport required to connect their premises with East Midlands Airport.
With EMA continuing to expand its cargo operation and handle increasing volumes of international freight, having reliable road transport around the airport is becoming increasingly important.
If your business regularly imports or exports through East Midlands Airport (EMA), WSUK can help with the collection and delivery requirements surrounding your shipment.
Need an air-freight collection or delivery from East Midlands Airport? Contact WSUK to discuss your requirements.