East Midlands Airport is undertaking upgrades to a portion of its airfield equivalent to 100 football pitches of tarmac as part of its £120 million investment plan spanning the next five years.
A dedicated team of airfield engineers, designers, project managers, and contractors work tirelessly year-round to uphold the highest standards of maintenance for these vital surfaces.
Such projects represent some of the largest, most intensive, and potentially disruptive undertakings for airports. They are meticulously planned to minimize disruption to passengers and cargo operators, with short periods of closure facilitating contractor work.
The most recent phase of improvement work focuses on Taxiway Bravo, utilized by cargo aircraft, originally constructed with large concrete slabs 24 years ago. These slabs, worn over time due to continuous use and exposure, are being replaced with a more flexible asphalt surface to accommodate the increasing size and weight of cargo planes.
The enhanced flexibility of the surface under heavy cargo loads will reduce wear and tear on the taxiway, providing a smoother surface for pilots and cargo, thus enhancing overall safety and efficiency of airfield operations.
EMA’s Capital Delivery team collaborated closely with Airport Operations, Security, and Airfield Safeguarding to ensure the project proceeded safely without disrupting ongoing operations.
Brian McCoubrey, EMA’s Asset Development Director, emphasized, “This investment underscores our commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and efficiency in air travel. While these projects pose logistical challenges, we are dedicated to minimizing inconvenience to our customers. These improvements are essential for the safety and comfort of passengers choosing East Midlands Airport and for the seamless functioning of our significant air cargo operation.”
