Air Freight from East Midlands Airport (EMA)
East Midlands Airport (EMA) has evolved from a former RAF airfield into one of the UK's most important dedicated air-freight hubs.
Its position close to the M1, A42, A50 and A453, combined with 24-hour cargo operations and a growing international freight network, makes EMA particularly important to businesses across the Midlands and the wider UK logistics market. The airport says its location provides access to around 85% of the UK population within four hours.
For businesses moving commercial goods internationally, the airport is not simply a place where aircraft arrive and depart. It is part of a much larger logistics network connecting warehouses, manufacturers, fulfilment operations, road transport and international markets.
And in 2026, that cargo operation is growing rapidly.
What is the airport code for East Midlands Airport?
The IATA airport code for East Midlands Airport is:
EMA
The airport postcode is:
DE74 2SA
The airport is located close to Castle Donington in Leicestershire, between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester and within the wider East Midlands logistics region.
Its location is one of the main reasons EMA has become so important to freight and distribution.
When did East Midlands Airport open?
East Midlands Airport began commercial operations on 2 April 1965.
Its official opening took place on 21 July 1965, when the Duke of Edinburgh formally opened the airport. The first flight had arrived from Glasgow earlier in April.
The airport was built on the former RAF Castle Donington site.
In 1963, the councils of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, together with the relevant regional authorities, purchased the former airfield for £37,500.
Around £1.37 million was then invested in developing the new airport, with construction taking approximately 13 months.
The location was particularly strategic because it was close to the planned route of the M1 motorway.
More than 60 years later, that decision remains one of the biggest advantages of East Midlands Airport for logistics.
From RAF Castle Donington to air freight hub
The site's aviation history goes back further than 1965.
During the Second World War, the airfield operated as RAF Castle Donington and was associated with the Pathfinder Force. Wellington bombers operated from the site, including special flights connected with operations over occupied Europe. The RAF station closed in 1946.
The former military airfield subsequently became the foundation for East Midlands Airport.
What started as a regional passenger airport has since developed into a major cargo operation.
How East Midlands Airport developed its cargo operation
The airport's freight capability has been expanded repeatedly over the decades.
Some of the major milestones include:
1970 — Runway extension
The runway was extended by 7,480 feet, allowing larger aircraft to use EMA.
1973 — Cargo Terminal 2
A second terminal opened, increasing the airport's freight-handling capability.
1978 — Boeing 747
The first Boeing 747 landed at East Midlands Airport.
1979 — Royal Mail air operations
Weekday night air operations began as part of a new inland postal network.
1997 — Cargo Terminal 4
Further dedicated cargo infrastructure was added.
2000 — Runway expansion
The runway was extended to 2,893 metres.
2016/17 — Major infrastructure investment
A £90 million investment programme was announced for airport cargo infrastructure.
2021 — Major logistics development
A 1.2 million sq ft logistics facility opened at the airport.
These developments helped establish EMA as a major dedicated air-cargo location.
Talk to WSUK about your East Midlands Airport collection, delivery or wider logistics requirements.
How much cargo does East Midlands Airport handle?
The latest figures make the scale of EMA's freight operation particularly clear.
During the 2025/26 financial year, East Midlands Airport handled:
413,664 tonnes of cargo
That was a 12.5% increase on the previous year, representing approximately 46,000 additional tonnes.
It was also the first time since the pandemic that annual cargo volumes had exceeded 400,000 tonnes. The airport says the increase represented more than a third of total UK air-cargo growth during the year.
The airport had already recorded significant growth earlier in the financial year, including almost 38,000 tonnes in December 2025 alone, a 37% year-on-year increase.
How many freight flights operate from East Midlands Airport?
One of the most interesting aspects of EMA's recent growth is that cargo volumes have increased while freight aircraft movements have decreased.
During 2025/26, freight aircraft movements fell by approximately 6.1% to just over 22,000 movements.
At the same time, cargo volumes reached 413,664 tonnes.
The reason is partly the changing mix of cargo operations.
Larger aircraft are carrying more freight, while longer intercontinental routes have become more significant.
So the growth story isn't simply about increasing the number of aircraft.
It is also about:
Larger aircraft + more cargo per flight + longer international routes.
That is an important distinction when looking at the development of UK air freight.
East Midlands Airport operates 24 hours a day
For air freight, operating hours matter.
East Midlands Airport operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no night-flying restrictions for its cargo operation.
That is particularly relevant to time-sensitive freight.
Cargo doesn't always move during normal business hours.
International supply chains operate across different time zones, while urgent shipments may need to move overnight.
EMA's 24-hour operation allows cargo movements to continue outside conventional daytime schedules.
Why is East Midlands Airport important for air freight?
The answer starts with geography.
EMA is located close to some of the UK's most important road routes.
The airport has direct access to:
- M1
- A42
- A50
- A453
The M1 is only a few minutes from the airport, while the A42 provides access towards Birmingham, the A50 towards Stoke-on-Trent and the A453 towards Nottingham.
Leicester is only three M1 junctions away.
For a cargo operation, this road connectivity is critical.
A shipment doesn't finish its journey when the aircraft lands.
It needs to move from:
Aircraft → Cargo facility → Road network → Warehouse → Customer
The M1 and East Midlands Airport
The connection between EMA and the M1 was effectively part of the airport's original design.
When the new airport site was being considered during the early 1960s, its proximity to the planned M1 was an important advantage.
Today, the M1 provides a major north-south logistics corridor.
It connects the airport towards:
Leicester
Lutterworth
Rugby
Northampton
Milton Keynes
to the south, and towards:
Nottingham
Sheffield
Leeds
and the north of England.
This makes EMA particularly relevant to businesses operating within the wider Midlands logistics network.
East Midlands Airport and the Golden Triangle
The airport's location is closely connected with the UK's logistics Golden Triangle.
Businesses across locations such as:
can potentially connect their operations with EMA through the Midlands road network.
This concentration of warehousing, manufacturing, fulfilment and distribution activity has helped make the region one of the UK's most important logistics areas.
For a business based in the Golden Triangle, access to a major dedicated air-freight hub within the Midlands can be particularly valuable.
East Midlands Airport's cargo infrastructure
EMA's cargo facilities are continuing to develop.
In February 2026, the airport completed a £10.5 million investment in key airfield facilities, including two new gatehouses providing secure access to the cargo aprons.
The new facilities include modern scanning technology and increased capacity for people and vehicles entering the airfield.
The investment forms part of a wider £120 million airport improvement programme.
The cargo aprons have also been redesigned to provide stands for additional wide-bodied aircraft.
Future cargo development at EMA
East Midlands Airport has also outlined a major longer-term cargo expansion programme.
Four plots close to the runway, covering approximately 50 hectares, have been identified for future cargo development.
The plans include:
- New cargo facilities
- Additional apron space
- New taxiways
- Capacity for up to 18 additional aircraft
- Approximately 122,000 square metres of warehouse space
The airport's plans are based around an expected 54% increase in cargo demand over the next two decades.
The proposed development could also support more than 21,000 jobs and provide a substantial economic contribution to the region.
International air freight from East Midlands Airport
EMA's cargo network is increasingly international.
Recent growth has included additional links with markets in Asia, China and the USA, alongside European and Middle Eastern cargo movements.
In 2025, new China-UK cargo services began operating through EMA, highlighting the airport's growing role in international trade.
For UK importers and exporters, this creates opportunities to connect Midlands businesses directly into global air-cargo networks.
Air freight from East Midlands Airport to the USA
For businesses shipping goods from the Midlands to America, EMA can form part of a complete international logistics chain.
A typical movement could involve:
Business or warehouse
↓
Collection
↓
Road transport to EMA
↓
Cargo handling
↓
Air freight
↓
USA
↓
Customs clearance
↓
Final delivery
The exact routing depends on the shipment, destination, cargo type, airline and freight-forwarding arrangements.
Air freight from EMA to China
China is another important market within the airport's developing cargo network.
New China-UK cargo services have strengthened EMA's role in connecting the Midlands with Asian supply chains. In 2026, a new cargo-handling facility was also approved at the airport for China-originating freight.
For businesses importing products, components or stock from China, the airport can therefore form part of a wider supply chain connecting international suppliers with UK warehouses and distribution operations.
Air freight from the Golden Triangle to EMA
The relationship between the Golden Triangle and East Midlands Airport is particularly important for road transport.
A shipment could begin at a warehouse in:
Northampton
→ M1
→ EMA
or:
Rugby
→ M1
→ EMA
or:
Lutterworth
→ M1
→ EMA
or:
Leicester
→ M1
→ EMA
The road journey is the first physical connection between the business and the aircraft.
For time-sensitive cargo, that connection needs to be reliable.
Air freight from Coventry to East Midlands Airport
Coventry sits within the wider Midlands manufacturing and logistics network and has strong road connections towards EMA.
Businesses in Coventry may require air freight for:
- Engineering components
- Automotive parts
- Machinery
- Manufacturing goods
- International exports
- Urgent replacement components
A road collection can connect the business with the airport's international cargo network.
Air freight from Leicester to East Midlands Airport
Leicester is particularly well positioned in relation to EMA.
The airport states that Leicester is only three M1 junctions away.
For Leicester businesses requiring international air freight, this provides a relatively direct road connection between the commercial operation and the airport.
Air freight from Northampton, Rugby and Daventry
The M1 provides the principal north-south connection between EMA and several important logistics locations further south.
Businesses around Northampton, Rugby and Daventry can therefore connect with EMA through a well-established motorway corridor.
This is one reason the airport is so relevant to the wider Golden Triangle.
East Midlands Airport and Donington Park
One of the most unusual aspects of EMA's location is the proximity of Donington Park.
The famous motorsport circuit sits directly beside the airport, with the terminal approximately two miles away.
Donington Park is the oldest UK motorsport circuit still in operation.
Racing began there in 1931, before a permanent circuit was established in 1933. The venue has subsequently hosted major international motorsport events.
The circuit also hosts Download Festival, creating a fascinating relationship between major events, road traffic and the airport's logistics operation.
During the festival period, the M1, A42, A50 and A453 can experience significantly increased traffic around the airport and Donington area.
For logistics operators working around EMA, understanding the local road network and major events can therefore be important when planning time-sensitive collections.
East Midlands Aeropark
Another local aviation landmark is the East Midlands Aeropark.
Located beside the airport, the Aeropark contains a collection of historic aircraft and viewing areas overlooking the operational runway.
The volunteer organisation behind the Aeropark dates back to the 1970s, while the current site opened in 2001 after the previous location was affected by airport development.
The site provides an interesting reminder of how much aviation history surrounds the modern airport.
In 2025, the Aeropark formed part of EMA's 60th-anniversary celebrations, including special aircraft flypasts.
60 years of East Midlands Airport
2025 marked 60 years since EMA began commercial operations.
In its first year, the airport handled only 358 tonnes of cargo.
By 2025/26, that figure had risen to:
413,664 tonnes
That's a remarkable transformation over six decades.
The airport's development reflects the wider transformation of the Midlands itself — from a predominantly manufacturing and industrial economy into one of Europe's major warehousing, fulfilment and distribution regions.
Why road transport is essential to air freight
The aircraft is only one part of an air-freight shipment.
Before cargo can fly, it needs to reach the airport.
After it lands, it needs to leave the airport.
That means a complete air-freight journey can involve:
Warehouse
→ Collection
→ Road transport
→ Airport cargo facility
→ Security and handling
→ Aircraft
→ Destination airport
→ Customs
→ Final delivery
This is why airport connectivity and road transport need to work together.
Air Freight from East Midlands Airport with WSUK
For businesses across the Midlands and the wider Golden Triangle, East Midlands Airport provides an important gateway into international air cargo networks.
WSUK supports the road logistics surrounding these movements, including collections and deliveries for businesses requiring connections with major UK air-freight gateways.
Our wider logistics services include:
- Air freight collections and deliveries
- Warehouse storage
- Pallet storage
- Fulfilment
- Transport and distribution
- Contract logistics
- Same-day logistics
From Coventry and Leicester to Northampton, Rugby, Lutterworth, Daventry and the wider Golden Triangle, WSUK can support businesses moving goods into the UK's international logistics network.
Whether you require a one-off airport collection or regular air-freight movements, the road transport needs to be planned around the wider shipment.
Talk to WSUK about your East Midlands Airport collection, delivery or wider logistics requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the airport code for East Midlands Airport?
The IATA airport code for East Midlands Airport is EMA.
When did East Midlands Airport open?
Commercial operations began on 2 April 1965, with the airport officially opened on 21 July 1965.
How much cargo does East Midlands Airport handle?
EMA handled 413,664 tonnes of cargo during the 2025/26 financial year, representing a 12.5% increase on the previous year.
How many freight aircraft movements does EMA have?
There were just over 22,000 freight aircraft movements during 2025/26. Despite the reduction in movements, cargo volumes increased because larger aircraft were carrying more freight.
Does East Midlands Airport operate 24 hours?
Yes. EMA operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it particularly relevant to time-sensitive cargo.
Which roads connect East Midlands Airport?
The principal road connections include the M1, A42, A50 and A453. Leicester is three M1 junctions away.
Is East Midlands Airport important for UK air freight?
Yes. The airport describes itself as the UK's number one express air-freight hub, with a major dedicated-freighter operation and 24-hour access.
Can businesses in the Golden Triangle use East Midlands Airport?
Yes. The airport's central Midlands location and motorway connections make it particularly relevant to businesses across the wider Golden Triangle logistics region.
Can WSUK collect cargo for East Midlands Airport?
WSUK supports businesses with road logistics surrounding air-freight movements, including collections and deliveries connected with East Midlands Airport.