East Midlands Airport has completed a 10.5 million GBP upgrade of its airfield security checkpoints as part of a wider programme to support the continued expansion of its cargo operations.
Two new gatehouses have been built to replace older facilities, creating separate controlled access points to the airfield away from the passenger terminal. The buildings are equipped with updated scanning technology and expanded vehicle screening areas.
The project forms part of a 120 million GBP investment programme currently underway across the airport site.
Gatehouses act as security checkpoints for staff and authorised personnel from partner organisations, including airlines, engineering teams, fuelling companies and cargo handlers. The two new structures primarily serve access routes to the cargo aprons, where freight aircraft are handled.
The new east apron gatehouse covers around 400 square metres, increasing the previous building’s smaller footprint. It provides two security lanes for pedestrians and space for four heavy goods vehicles within a secure vehicle airlock where inspections take place. This increases processing capacity for both people and vehicles and allows for future operational growth. The facility also provides controlled access to the central apron used by passenger aircraft and may be used for private flights operating separately from the main terminal.
A second gatehouse on the west apron, serving DHL’s UK cargo hub, measures approximately 200 square metres, nearly three times the size of the former structure.
Both gatehouses include covered vehicle inspection areas, staff rest facilities and redesigned working environments for security teams.
The checkpoints use 3D imaging scanners that enable officers to examine and manipulate images of items inside baggage during screening. The technology is intended to improve inspection efficiency and consistency.
East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths said:This significant investment in our gatehouses is another sign of the growing success of our cargo operation. Along with other improvements we have undertaken to boost our cargo capabilities, it helps to pave the way for a further increase in cargo activity as our development plans come to fruition.
We have introduced the latest scanning equipment and built extra capacity into the new facilities so they can cope with the expected extra demand in the coming years. This brings these facilities up to the standards of the newly refurbished passenger security hall for our staff and partners accessing the airfield.
The gatehouse project follows apron reconfiguration works completed last year that added parking stands for four additional wide-bodied aircraft. Longer-term plans published by the airport outline the potential development of four cargo plots near the runway, covering about 50 hectares, with associated apron and taxiway infrastructure for up to 18 aircraft. The plans are based on forecasts indicating a 54 percent rise in cargo demand over the next twenty years.
Other elements of the airport’s current investment programme include the refurbishment of the passenger terminal security hall and the installation of new passenger screening equipment.
