Aviation & Airport Staff Supply at East Midlands Airport (EMA)

East Midlands Airport (EMA), located at Castle Donington in Leicestershire between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, is one of the UK's most important aviation and logistics locations. Its major cargo operation, proximity to East Midlands Gateway and direct access to key Midlands transport routes create significant workforce requirements across airport-connected warehousing, cargo handling, logistics, transport and distribution. For businesses requiring multiple staff, temporary workforce support or permanent recruitment, the EMA area represents an important part of the Midlands logistics employment market. EMA's cargo operation has continued to grow, with the airport handling 413,664 tonnes during the 2025/26 financial year. 

Need multiple staff for airport, aviation, air cargo or logistics operations around East Midlands Airport (EMA)? Contact WSUK to discuss your workforce and recruitment requirements.

Staff Supply for Businesses Operating Around East Midlands Airport

Businesses connected with aviation and airport logistics can require large and flexible workforces.

Depending on the operation, requirements may include:

• Warehouse operatives
• Goods-in and goods-out staff
• Pickers and packers
• Loaders
• FLT drivers
• Logistics operatives
• Transport staff
• HGV drivers
• Supervisors
• Operations staff
• Temporary workers
• Permanent employees

WSUK's role is focused on helping businesses source the people they need.

For warehouse workforce requirements, businesses can use Warehouse Staff Supply.

Why East Midlands Airport (EMA) Is Important for Workforce Resourcing

East Midlands Airport is not simply a passenger airport.

It has developed into one of the UK's most important express air cargo locations, with major logistics businesses operating around its cargo infrastructure. Recent growth has also created further investment in cargo facilities and infrastructure. EMA's cargo ecosystem includes major operators and handlers, with the airport reporting additional cargo operators and facilities as demand has increased. 

More aviation and logistics activity can mean increased demand for people across associated operations.

This can include:

• Cargo warehouse teams
• Logistics workers
• Warehouse operatives
• Transport staff
• Temporary shift workers
• Recruitment for permanent positions
• Multiple staff requirements during periods of growth

For businesses needing flexible workforce capacity, WSUK provides Logistics Temporary Staffing.

Where Is East Midlands Airport (EMA)?

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is located at Castle Donington in Leicestershire, close to the borders of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Important nearby locations include:

• Castle Donington
• Kegworth
• Derby
• Nottingham
• Leicester
• Loughborough
• Long Eaton
• Ashby-de-la-Zouch

The airport is accessible from major routes including the M1, A42/M42 and A50, providing important connections between airport operations, logistics hubs and the wider Midlands. 

For staff resourcing, this geographical position is important because the workforce supporting airport-connected businesses can come from a wide Midlands catchment area.

The History of East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport has a strong aviation history.

The site was acquired in 1963 after previously being Castle Donington Airfield, a former RAF base. East Midlands Airport officially opened in 1965 and developed over subsequent decades into an important passenger and freight airport. Cargo Terminal 2 opened in 1973, Royal Mail began night operations in 1979, and freight operations expanded significantly through the following decades. 

Important milestones include:

• 1963 – Castle Donington Airfield was acquired.
• 1965 – East Midlands Airport officially opened.
• 1973 – Cargo Terminal 2 opened.
• 1979 – Royal Mail began weekday night air operations.
• 1984 – Freight operations associated with DHL began.
• 1997 – Cargo Terminal 4 opened.
• 2000 – The runway was extended and DHL expanded its cargo operations.
• 2021 – EMA recorded more than 400,000 tonnes of cargo, while UPS opened a major facility at the airport.

This long-standing relationship between aviation and freight helps explain why the EMA area has become an important location for logistics employment and workforce requirements. 

Airport and Aviation Workforce Requirements

Businesses operating within aviation and airport-connected logistics environments can experience changing workforce requirements.

Demand can be affected by:

• Increased cargo volumes
• New contracts
• Seasonal peaks
• New facilities
• Shift patterns
• Staff absence
• Holiday cover
• Operational expansion
• Large recruitment campaigns

A business may need one additional employee, but a major operation may require multiple workers across several roles.

This is where workforce resourcing becomes particularly important.

WSUK can support businesses requiring warehouse, logistics and operational staff through Warehouse Staff Supplyand Logistics Temporary Staffing.

Multiple Staff Supply for Airport-Connected Logistics Operations

A key requirement for large logistics operations is the ability to source more than one person at a time.

For example, a business may require:

• 10 warehouse operatives
• A complete additional shift
• A temporary team for increased volumes
• FLT and warehouse staff
• Goods-in and dispatch workers
• Day and night shift teams
• Permanent employees across multiple roles

WSUK is designed to support both individual vacancies and larger multi-role workforce requirements.

This is particularly relevant around East Midlands Airport, where aviation, cargo, warehousing and road transport operations can all create fluctuating workforce demand.

Temporary Staffing Around EMA

Temporary staff can provide flexibility when businesses experience short-term changes in demand.

Common requirements can include:

• Peak periods
• Seasonal increases
• Short-notice cover
• Sickness cover
• Holiday cover
• New contracts
• Additional shifts
• Temporary projects

For businesses requiring flexible staffing, Logistics Temporary Staffing can support temporary warehouse and logistics workforce requirements.

The advantage for employers is the ability to increase workforce capacity when operational demand increases.

Permanent Aviation and Logistics Recruitment

Not every workforce requirement is temporary.

Businesses may also need permanent employees for long-term operations.

Roles can include:

• Warehouse operatives
• FLT drivers
• Supervisors
• Transport planners
• Logistics coordinators
• Shift managers
• Operations managers
• Administrative support

For permanent and contract hiring requirements, WSUK provides Logistics Recruitment.

This can be particularly relevant when airport-connected businesses are expanding, opening new facilities or building long-term operational teams.

Warehouse Staff Supply Around East Midlands Airport

Airport cargo and logistics operations are supported by a wider warehouse ecosystem.

Warehouse workforce requirements can include:

• Pickers
• Packers
• Loaders
• Goods-in operatives
• Goods-out operatives
• FLT drivers
• Reach truck drivers
• General warehouse operatives

Businesses requiring warehouse workforce support can use Warehouse Staff Supply.

The wider EMA region connects with major warehousing and distribution infrastructure across Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and the Midlands.

East Midlands Gateway and Workforce Demand

East Midlands Gateway is an important part of the wider logistics infrastructure surrounding East Midlands Airport.

The area brings together:

• Warehousing
• Distribution
• Rail freight
• Road freight
• Industrial operations
• Airport-connected logistics

This creates a significant concentration of logistics employment close to EMA.

East Midlands Airport's own strategic planning identifies the airport within a wider high-tech logistics and advanced manufacturing gateway, alongside the growth associated with the East Midlands Freeport. 

For employers, a concentration of logistics businesses can also mean increased competition for experienced workers.

This makes effective recruitment and workforce resourcing increasingly important.

HGV Driver Supply for Airport-Connected Logistics

Cargo arriving at East Midlands Airport may require onward movement by road.

Associated businesses may therefore require:

• Class 1 drivers
• Class 2 drivers
• C1 drivers
• Temporary driver cover
• Contract drivers
• Multiple drivers for operational requirements

Businesses requiring commercial drivers can use HGV Driver Supply.

This is particularly relevant where airport-connected operations link into warehouses, distribution centres and national road networks.

The M1 and EMA Workforce Catchment Area

The M1 is one of the most important transport routes supporting the East Midlands.

It connects the EMA area with locations including:

• Leicester
• Northampton
• Milton Keynes
• London
• Nottingham
• Sheffield
• Yorkshire

The motorway is also important from a workforce perspective.

Businesses located around East Midlands Airport can potentially draw employees from a wider geographical area than Castle Donington alone.

This includes:

• Derby
• Nottingham
• Leicester
• Loughborough
• Long Eaton
• Hinckley
• Nuneaton
• Coventry

The strength of road connections can therefore support both logistics operations and wider workforce access.

A50, A42 and M42 Connections

The A50 provides an important connection towards Derby and Stoke-on-Trent.

The A42 and M42 connect the East Midlands Airport area towards:

• Tamworth
• Birmingham
• Solihull
• Coventry
• The wider West Midlands

These routes are important to the wider logistics workforce because they connect EMA with additional industrial and employment areas.

Castle Donington

Castle Donington is the location most closely associated with East Midlands Airport.

The area is also internationally recognised for Donington Park, one of the UK's best-known motorsport venues.

Its location close to:

• East Midlands Airport
• East Midlands Gateway
• The M1
• A42
• A50

has made the wider area strategically important for aviation, transport and logistics.

Kegworth

Kegworth is located close to East Midlands Airport and the M1.

It provides important local connections between:

• EMA
• Castle Donington
• Derby
• Nottingham
• Leicester

Its location makes it part of the wider employment and workforce catchment supporting businesses around the airport.

Derby and Aviation

Derby has a strong industrial, engineering and aerospace heritage.

The city's proximity to East Midlands Airport creates a natural connection between:

• Aviation
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• Workforce requirements

This wider industrial base makes Derby an important location when considering recruitment and workforce availability around EMA.

Nottingham and Logistics Employment

Nottingham is one of the East Midlands' largest cities and an important commercial and employment centre.

The connection between Nottingham and the EMA region creates opportunities for businesses seeking staff from across the wider East Midlands.

Nottingham also has strong connections with:

• Warehousing
• Distribution
• Manufacturing
• Transport
• Logistics

Leicester and the Golden Triangle

Leicester provides an important connection between East Midlands Airport and the UK's logistics Golden Triangle.

The wider Golden Triangle includes major logistics locations such as:

• Lutterworth
• Magna Park
• Hinckley
• Rugby
• Coventry
• Daventry
• Crick
• Northampton

WSUK's recruitment and staff supply strategy is built around this concentration of logistics activity across the Midlands. Its existing logistics recruitment service specifically identifies East Midlands Gateway alongside major hubs including DIRFT, Magna Park, Prologis Park Ryton and Brackmills. 

East Midlands Airport (EMA) and the Golden Triangle

The connection between EMA and the Golden Triangle is particularly important for workforce resourcing.

The Golden Triangle contains one of the UK's largest concentrations of:

• Warehouses
• Distribution centres
• Fulfilment operations
• 3PL businesses
• Parcel carriers
• Transport companies
• Manufacturing operations

East Midlands Airport provides an aviation and cargo connection close to this major logistics employment market.

WSUK supports businesses across:

Northampton, Crick, Daventry, Lutterworth, Rugby, Bedworth, Nuneaton, Corby, Hinckley, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Solihull, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Burton upon Trent, Cannock, Lichfield, Birmingham, Buckingham, Kettering, London, Market Harborough, Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell, Raunds, Rushden, Towcester, Wellingborough, Wolverhampton and Walsall.

This gives businesses operating around EMA access to a wider Midlands workforce resourcing network.

Why Businesses May Need Workforce Support Around EMA

Businesses do not always have time to manage large recruitment campaigns internally.

A growing operation may need:

• Multiple workers quickly
• Temporary staff
• Permanent employees
• Different roles at the same time
• Cover for different shifts
• Additional workers during peak demand

Using a specialist logistics workforce partner can simplify the process of sourcing people for operational requirements.

WSUK's services are designed around logistics, warehousing, transport and distribution businesses that need staff ranging from individual roles to wider workforce requirements.

Aviation and Airport Staff Supply at East Midlands Airport (EMA)

East Midlands Airport is an important aviation and logistics location within the Midlands.

Its cargo operations, strategic location, history and connections to East Midlands Gateway and the Golden Triangle create a significant surrounding logistics ecosystem.

For employers, that can mean ongoing requirements for:

• Warehouse staff
• Temporary workers
• Permanent recruitment
• Logistics employees
• HGV drivers
• Multiple staff requirements
• Shift-based workforce support

WSUK focuses on helping businesses source the people required to keep logistics and operational teams moving.

Need multiple staff for airport, aviation, air cargo or logistics operations around East Midlands Airport (EMA)? Contact WSUK today to discuss your workforce and recruitment requirements.

FAQs

Where is East Midlands Airport (EMA)?

East Midlands Airport (EMA) is located at Castle Donington in Leicestershire, close to Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.

Can businesses source multiple warehouse staff around EMA?

Yes. Businesses requiring additional warehouse operatives, FLT drivers, loaders and wider warehouse teams can use Warehouse Staff Supply.

Does WSUK provide temporary logistics staff?

Yes. Logistics Temporary Staffing supports businesses requiring flexible workforce capacity for peaks, cover and changing operational requirements.

Can WSUK help with permanent logistics recruitment?

Yes. Logistics Recruitment supports permanent and contract hiring requirements across logistics and operational roles.

Can businesses source HGV drivers?

Yes. HGV Driver Supply supports businesses requiring Class 1, Class 2 and C1 commercial drivers.

Why is EMA relevant to logistics staff supply?

EMA's major cargo operation, motorway connections and proximity to East Midlands Gateway and the wider Golden Triangle make the surrounding region an important concentration of aviation-connected logistics and employment. Recent cargo growth and infrastructure investment reinforce the area's continuing importance.