With 4.2 Mio. passengers, East Midlands Airport has developed itself into a hub for low-cost & tour operators such as Jet2, Ryanair and TUI, and so commercially, the airport is found much busier through the Summer season primarily to holiday & resort destinations. Skiing & northern light charters operate through Winter, and often bring with them notable movements. East Midlands is also a major freight hub, and the UK’s busiest for cargo-dedicated movements. The airport is a primary hub for both DHL & UPS, as well as many of their sub-contractors such as West Atlantic, Star Air and ASL Airlines.

Please note that the Aiport has introduced a No Waiting system around the Airport these are marked by means of double Red lines. Vehicles seen stopping on the double Red lines can be levied with a £100 fine if seen by the camera vans that operate.

Written by Junaid Khan. Last Update: July 2026 – Spot 6 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	2893m (9491ft)
Terminals	One for all passenger movements.
Spotting Information
Ladder	May be handy along spots on the Airport Trail (#3). Stepladders used by some to enable photography over the fence must be THREE METERS from the fence. Having said that, quick moves to the fenceline when a movement takes place are often tolerated, but photographers need to move ladders back and lower them in the intervening periods, and especially not leave them leaning up against the fence. Anyone with a ladder who is asked to move back away from the fence needs to do so without argument.
Car/Public Transport	All spots easily reached with public transport.
Restrooms	Restrooms located in the terminal buildings. One is also available in the East Midlands Gateway Bus Station near to Spot 1.
Drinks/Food	Inside the terminal before security is a Greggs and a WHSmith where you can get food and drinks from. Located just outside the terminal is a gas station for snacks. The Hunger Hangar Cafe is located between spot 5 & 6. For those travelling by car, Donington services is nearby just off the A453 which has a Burger King, Costa and a few other food places.
Hotels	The best hotel on site for spotting is the Radisson Blu if you get a runway facing room, from here you can see arrivals on 27 and departures on 09. Other than that, other hotels on site arent good for spotting with no views of aircraft.
Season	EMA is most busy for spotting during the summer season where days are long, from 6-9pm is when the majority of cargo arrives. Heat haze can be a problem during midday when shooting from a distance. As it’s in the UK, the weather isn’t very predictable in advance. Spotting during winter is perfect where the sun is low and runs parallel to the runway throughout the day.
Runway Usage
General Info	There is no preferance for either easterly or westerly operations so the runway end in use depends entirely on the wind direction. However, due to prevailing winds being westerly, Runway 27 is likely to be in use ≈75% of the time.

	Spot #1 – Picnic Area – 27 Arrivals
WHERE	The first spot is located just off the A453 near the EMG Gateway and has parking for cars. Postcode for this location is DE74 2DL. To get here via public transport, take a bus to the East Midlands Gateway and this takes you directly to the spot.
WHAT	This location is predominantly used for 27 arrivals when the sun is in the correct position. Here you can get a side on view of aircraft arriving onto 27.
TIME	This spot is only useable in the summer during the early morning hours and evening. This spot is not useable in the winter due to the sun being on the other side of the aircraft.
MISC.	There are a few picnic benches here and the space is open. Nearby is the East Midlands Gateway Bus Station which hosts two toilets.
FOCAL LENGTH	A 777F is just below 70mm and a 737 is around 100mm for a side on.

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	Spot #2 – Mound – 27 Arrivals
WHERE	To get to this spot, head towards the EMG Gateway terminals on the A453. Just before you go under the 27 approach is a lay-by with a cafe. You can park here then walk through the gap in the fence to a mound that overlooks the 27 approach. JUL 2026: the mound is now fenced off making the spot tricky. No clue of its future.
WHAT	From here you can catch arrivals onto runway 27. Haze can be a problem from this spot on a hot day.
TIME	In the summer this spot is useable from 8am till 17:00. In winter this spot is useable all day.
MISC.	Champs Cafe is nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm for a 747-8, Over 200mm for a 737

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	Spot #3 – Diseworth Rd – 27 And 09 Arrivals & Departures
WHERE	The postcode for this location is DE74 2PS. Drive along this road and you will come to a crash gate. Parking is usually available however it can get crowded when there is a notable movement. To get here with public transport, take the bus to Nags Head and walk down Diseworth Rd. Also here is the start of the airport trail. Walk Along here to get your desired angle for photography. A ladder is recommend here.
WHAT	This spot offers good views of arrivals and departures on runway 09 and 27, as well as an overview of the DHL ramp and main apron.
TIME	This spot is only useable in the summer during the early morning hours and evening. This spot is not useable in the winter due to the sun being on the other side of the aircraft.
MISC.	The Nags Head Pub is nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm should cover all type of shots here.

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	Spot #4 – DHL Mound – 09 Arrivals, 27 Departures & Apron View
WHERE	This spot is located on a mound on the 09 approach lights and you can park along one of the pull ins. To get here by bus, get off at Donington Park and this should take you directly to the spot.
WHAT	From this spot you can catch departures on 27, arrivals on 09 and views of the DHL Apron. If you wanna more side views of the arrivals go down the road for 100 meter until a small gate to your right. (see map).
TIME	The Aircraft on the apron are lit after 3pm. For aircraft landing/taking off, this spot is useable all day.
MISC.	Nothing is here. Take what you need. No ladder neaded because you are on an elevated positon to clear the fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	Ramp Shots ≈ 100mm, Aircraft On The Runway ≈ 150mm

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DHL – Ramp view

	Spot #5 – Roundabout – 09 Arrivals
WHERE	This Spot is located just further up from Spot 4. It is best to park on Diseworth Road or Spot 4 and walk to get here.
WHAT	From here you can See all arrivals onto 09.
TIME	This spot is only useable in the summer during the early morning hours and evening. This spot is not useable in the winter due to the sun being on the other side of the aircraft.
MISC.	Nothing is here. Take what you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	A 777F is just below 70mm and a 737 is around 100mm for a side on.

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	Spot #6 – Employee Parking – Ramp
WHERE	This spot can be found at the airport’s southeastern corner just off Beverley Rd at the end of a small dirt path which ends up in front of the fence. You can just quickly leave your car here in front of the concrete barriers: off to your left is the dirty area used by employees as parking while the fence and ramp is just in front of you. Walk down the fence and search your favourite position. Be aware not to stop along Beverley Rd as there are “no stopping signs” warning of CCTV checking and high penalties all along the road.
WHAT	From here you can see mainly the ramp in front, but also parts of the taxiway and ramp in the back.
TIME	Depending on the angle of the taxiing or parked aicraft, best around noon though.
MISC.	Nothing is around. A 2-3 step ladder is needed to shoot over the fence, otherwise you can also shoot thru the mesh with small lenses in diameter. Heat haze is a bis issue on taxiway and runway in summer as well as foreground clutter like stairs, GPUs and similar.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm

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