Winter runway closures for East Midlands Airport

East Midlands Airport (EMA) has announced it will shut its runway on several days during the winter to make improvements to infrastructure.

Airport bosses said the work would involve "significant upgrades" to its taxiways, lighting systems, and central apron - which is where passenger aircraft park.

They added the project would enhance the airport's operational capabilities and "future-proof its airfield for years to come".

The work is due to take place between 10:00 and 18:00 on several Wednesdays throughout the winter with flights scheduled around the closures to minimise disruption.

The runway will be closed on 10 December, 17 December, 7 January, 14 January, 21 January, 28 January, 4 February and 11 February.

The work, part of an ongoing £120m investment programme, is to include a "comprehensive redesign" of the central apron, which will reconfigure its layout to optimise space and improve turnaround times, EMA said.

Four more stands for passenger aircraft will be created - bringing the total to 28 - to support growing airline operations, the airport added.

Alongside this, Taxiway Bravo will get a "full-scale upgrade" as part of the improvements.

It is described as a "critical artery" of the airfield allowing aircraft movement between the runway and the west apron, which is used by heavy cargo aircraft.

This work will bring it up to the "latest operational standards" and allow it to accommodate a wider range of aircraft types.

Other work involves replacements and upgrades of electrical substations, general maintenance of the runway, taxiways and aprons, and upgrades to hydrant and drainage systems, EMA said.

The airport said it would carry out the project during daylight hours to allow for more work to be completed "safely and efficiently".

The airport said it had worked with airlines to schedule flights around the works to ensure disruption for passengers was kept to a minimum.

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