Air, Freight News

New gatehouses to speed East Midlands cargo

[ February 5, 2026   //   Chris Lewis ]

East Midlands Airport has invested £10.5m in two replacement gatehouses with the latest scanning equipment, the main access points onto the cargo apron at EMA. The gatehouse at the east apron, which handles carriers including UPS, FedEx and Royal Mail is almost six times bigger than the previous facility, at 400m2 with space for four HGVs in the vehicle ‘airlock’ where security checks are carried out.

The new west apron gatehouse which serves DHL’s main UK cargo hub is almost three times the size of the one it replaces

Both have large canopies above the vehicle ‘airlock,’ as well as modern staff rest room facilities.

The airport’s long-term cargo growth plans envisage four plots near the runway totalling 50 hectares being developed into cargo facilities, complete with new apron space for up to 18 aircraft and taxiways.

Tags: East Midlands Airport; EMA