East Midlands Airport History

East Midlands Airport History

East Midlands history of the Airport Began its life in the 1965 with basic requirements of a runway of 5,850 feet a 60 foot taxiway, new hanger floor and aprons plus Parking for 850 cars. Financially it was not an instant success. The whole financial picture quickly changed with increased volume of freight traffic, and in 1970 further development was needed and granted. A new freight complex and runway plus the terminal were all extended.

In 1985 a million passengers passed through East Midlands airport terminals for the first time. A year later Pricess Anne was opening a £3 million East Midlands airport Terminal extension. Significant change in the running of the Airport came about in 1987 when it became a public limited company following Government legislation demanding that local authorities ran the operation as an ‘arms length’ public sector enterprise.

Significant change in the running of East Midlands Airport History came about in 1987 when it became a public limited company following Government legislation demanding that local authorities ran the operation as an ‘arms length’ public sector enterprise.

In 1992 another major airport terminal extension was proposed but the owning local authorities, who had eagerly supported all the previous changes could not fund the development. So in 1993 and in the face of Government pressure to reduce public spending, the local authority shareholders took the bold decision to become the first major regional airport to enter the private sector.

East Midlands Airport was purchased for a price of £24.3 million by the National Express Group, who recognized the superb potential of this growing regional Airport. During the 8 year period in which they owned East Midlands Airport they invested an additional £77 million in the Airport infrastructure and passenger facilities.

One of the major developments during that period was the completion of a £20 million runway extension. 600 metres were added to the existing strip, opening up huge opportunities for East Midlands Airport to be marketed as a long-haul operation. £3.5 million was also invested in a new air traffic control tower. The second highest in the country, the tower has been built to serve the needs of East Midlands Airport for the next 50 years.

Tenant companies too showed their faith in the future growth of East Midlands Airport. In April 2000, international parcel courier DHL unveiled a new £35 million purpose-built facility on the Airport site - a clear statement of its intention to grow and prosper at East Midlands Airport

Alongside East Midlands Airport's growth, Wilson Bowden and East Midlands Airport embarked on a joint venture for a new business park. On-site work at the new 62-acre Business Park, named Pegasus, commenced in March 1999 and within its first 12 months spectacular results were achieved.

The first completed building was a new regional headquarters for Powergen which was followed shortly after by an Express by Holiday Inn hotel and a Regus office block. Planning permission has also been granted for a Radisson Hotel which will include conference, business and leisure facilities.

However, National Express Group made the decision in 2000 that it wanted to concentrate on its core transport business of buses, coaches and trains and put East Midlands Airport , together with its sister Airport, Bournemouth, up for sale.

In March 2001, the Manchester Airport Group completed the purchase of East Midlands Airport and Bournemouth International for £241 million.

Since then East Midlands Airport has continued to perform well. Passenger figures in 2001 soared 7% to 2.38 million and low cost carriers Go and bmibaby commenced operations from East Midlands Airport in March.

Cargo operations too have continued to grow and East Midlands Airport is now widely recognized as the UK’s largest pure cargo airport. As well as DHL, TNT and UPS both have bases here and East Midlands Airport is also one of Royal Mail’s primary hubs.

Today East Midlands Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the UK. It's excellent location in the centre of the country brings international business and travel opportunities to people living across the Midlands region and beyond.

East Midlands Airport is in the centre of the country, surrounded by the cities of Nottingham, Derby and Leicester and within easy reach of Sheffield, Stoke on Trent and Tamworth. The Airport is easily accessible from all parts of the UK, either by road or by public transport.

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