Check travel rules at your destination before flight

EAST Midlands Airport has urged travellers to check their destination travel rules before arriving at the airport as the summer season gears up.

The airport’s ‘summer season,’ runs from April to October.

EMA will welcome two-thirds of its total annual passengers during these months, with 250,000 expected over the Easter break.

Clare James, East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director, said: “I started in post in July 2020, and this will be the first time I’ve seen the passenger operation in full swing.

“The last two years have been pretty bleak for this industry. People are very keen to get away for a hardearned break or visit family and friends.

“I’m looking forward to the buzz and energy passengers bring to this airport and welcoming people back as they start travelling again.” The airlines that serve the airport will adjust their flight schedules to accommodate demand while increasing the frequency and number of destinations.

Ryanair, Jet2.com, TUI, Flybe, Aurigny and Blue Islands will fly to more than 50 destinations this year, giving passengers a great choice of some of the most popular holiday hotspots in Europe and Eastern Europe and Northeast Africa.

For many people, jetting off this Easter will be their first overseas trip since before the pandemic brought international travel to a standstill.

Thanks to the vaccination roll-out, all UK travel restrictions have been dropped, making it easier to travel.

But passengers are encouraged to check rules that apply in the countries in which they are travelling, which may differ from the UK’s.

The airport advised those who had not flown for a while to prepare for their journey well in advance (particularly security and hand luggage).

Twelve months ago, the passenger terminal doors were shut, and planes were grounded.

When international travel resumed, travel restrictions, testing and general uncertainty resulted in passenger numbers not exceeding 20 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels.

The airport lost two consecutive summer seasons due to the pandemic, but the airport expects passenger numbers to recover to 75-80 per cent of pre-COVID levels.

With the recovery of aviation set to continue in earnest ahead of the summer, East Midlands Airport is recruiting for operational roles.

The bulk of the vacancies are within the airport’s security teams, but other jobs are available with the airport’s retail and hospitability providers, airlines and ground handling businesses.

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