FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
25 June 2026
East Midlands Airport – FAQs
for civilians travelling to/from the Falkland Islands on the South Atlantic Airbridge
25 July – 15 Nov 2026
As previously advertised, between 25 July and 15 November 2026 (subject to amendment), RAF Brize Norton will be closed for runway resurfacing. During this period, all passengers on the South Atlantic Airbridge will fly in to and out of East Midlands Airport (EMA).
The following are questions which have been – or are likely to be – asked about the alternative arrangements over the next few months.
1. Where is East Midlands Airport?
East Midlands Airport – Google Maps
2. What are the standard flight timings expected to be?
- Sun – Depart: East Midlands Airport 2100 British Summer Time* (2000Z)
- Mon – Arrive: Mount Pleasant Airfield 1255 local (1555Z)
- Tues – Depart: Mount Pleasant Airfield 1045 local (1345Z)
- Weds – Arrive: East Midlands Airport 0900 BST* (0800Z)
- Wed – Depart: East Midlands Airport 2100 BST* (2000Z)
- Thurs – Arrive: Mount Pleasant Airfield 1255 local (1555Z)
- Fri – Depart: Mount Pleasant Airfield 1045 local time (1345Z)
- Sat – Arrive: East Midlands Airport 0900 BST* (0800Z)
*please note, these timings will revert to GMT/Zulu in late October
3. What will the check-in times be, at each end?
Check-in times will be advertised as usual on the RAF Brize Norton website. Broadly, these will be 5 hours before departure, closing 2.5 hours before take-off.
4. Will Airbridge information be displayed on EMA’s departures website?
Mount Pleasant as a destination is on the drop-down menu, but details of Airbridge flights to/from MPA will not be shown there. This information will continue to be displayed on the RAF Brize Norton website and this should be used as the only official source of information.
5. Can flights be booked through EMA’s website?
No. Airbridge tickets will remain bookable only through the FIC and/or FIGO, as usual.
6. Will South-bound passengers check in at Brize Norton and then be transported by the MoD to EMA, or will the check-in be at EMA?
Check-in will be at EMA (lanes 50, 51 and 52 are allocated). Brize Norton is fully closed for the duration of the runway resurfacing project.
7. Is there a public bus or other transport to/from the nearby train stations?
Several bus companies will take you to/from a handful of train stations in the area, at all hours of the day, with connections to the rest of the country.
8. Where do passengers need to go upon arrival at East Midlands Airport?
There is only one terminal at EMA, and electronic notice boards inside will direct you to the relevant check-in counters, departure gates, etc.
9. Do I need a ZUB pass to access East Midlands Airport?
No.
10. Will Airbridge passengers have access to the commercial air terminal – e.g. shops, lounges, restrooms – before they fly? If so, will there be any restrictions on carrying Duty Free onto the plane?
Airbridge passengers will have access to all the facilities available to other travellers at EMA. Duty Free allowances will be in line with FIG Customs regulations – and as with any other carrier, purchases may not be consumed during the Airbridge flight.
11. What facilities are available after check-in for families travelling with children and babies?
The Little Flyers Club is looking forward to greeting you! Further info on terminal facilities, including baby change, is available here.
12. Will check-in be done by a military contractor or commercial airline staff?
Commercial airline staff.
13. Are baggage restrictions such as liquids in hand luggage different from those at Brize Norton/MPA?
Restrictions will be in line with EMA policy, and some of these are different from what is usually permitted at Brize Norton. Please see the East Midlands Airport website.
14. Will Falklands residents still be entitled to 55kgs of luggage per person?
Personal baggage allowances remain in line with current arrangements for the Airbridge. Your individual allowance will be shown on your booking confirmation.
15. What are the long- and short-term parking, and drop-off arrangements?
East Midlands Airport is a normal commercial airport with a number of options for parking, pick up and drop off, car hire, and taxi service.
16. What are the arrangements for collection of arriving passengers by both friends/family in their own cars, or from a taxi company? Is there a designated pick-up/waiting area?
East Midlands Airport is a normal commercial airport with a number of options for parking, pick up and drop off, car hire, and taxi service.
17. If you’ve flown South from Brize Norton, leaving a car there, and then arrive back at EMA, will the MoD arrange transport for you back to Brize?
No. This is a personal responsibility.
18. Will any onward travel to Brize Norton be available via the MoD for civilian travellers?
No.
19. Will FIG’s provision of Medical Treatment Overseas be affected?
No. Transfers will remain the same and patients will be collected and dropped off at EMA, as per normal MTO operations.
20. Are onward commercial flights available from EMA?
Yes, they are – to a range of destinations across the UK and Europe! Please see the East Midlands Airport website for further details.
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ENDS