East Midlands Airport has been named Airport of the Year at the National Transport Awards, recognising its performance across passenger services, cargo operations, accessibility and investment.
The award was announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday 1 October, where Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander delivered the keynote speech.
The airport’s winning submission highlighted a year in which passenger numbers remained at around four million, while its express air cargo operation continued to be the busiest in the UK. Growth at East Midlands Airport accounted for a third of all UK air cargo growth.
Extensive improvements to the terminal and airfield formed part of an ongoing £120 million investment programme to enhance the customer experience. Customer satisfaction increased across all measures, with 97% of passengers rating the airport good to excellent.
The airport also ranked among the least delayed in the UK, with 90.4% of flights departing on time during its busiest early wave. The Civil Aviation Authority awarded it the highest accessibility ranking for the sixth consecutive year, alongside continued investment in Assisted Travel services.
Further progress included moving the airport’s operational fleet to biodiesel and continuing to incentivise airlines to reduce their carbon footprint. Its training and employment programme also featured its first Aviation Careers Festival, supported by the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority, which attracted 500 students.
Steve Griffiths, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, said: “We’re so pleased to be recognised and rewarded in this way on a national stage.
“We have a fantastic team, who have earned us this prestigious accolade through their total dedication to providing effortless travel for our customers and delivering seamless trade for the UK.
“The award marks a period of growth for our unrivalled cargo operation and the implementation of huge improvements throughout the airport, leading to outstanding customer satisfaction scores. Being Airport of the Year strengthens our resolve to deliver the best possible service to people and businesses in our region and beyond.”
Supported by the Department for Transport, the National Transport Awards celebrate the people and organisations improving transport networks across the UK.
Posted on 02 October 2026
