About flights from Leicestershire (EMA)
East Midlands Airport punches well above its weight. Sitting just off the M1 at Castle Donington, it serves the whole Leicestershire region and connects you to 67 destinations across 27 countries without the chaos of Heathrow or the premium prices that come with it. I've flown through plenty of mid-size UK airports, and EMA consistently delivers on what matters: short walk times, reasonable parking costs, and actual route variety. For budget-conscious travelers in the East Midlands, this is your home base. Scoring 74 out of 99 on reach, the airport holds its own against regional competitors. You're not sacrificing connectivity by skipping London.
Quick stats for EMA
- Direct destinations: 67
- Countries served: 27
- Continents reached: 3 of 6
- Average flight distance: 2,003 km
- Longest non-stop: Boa Vista (BVC) — 4,495 km (~5h 37m)
- Shortest non-stop: Dublin (DUB) — 334 km (~25 min)
- Reach score: 74/99
Why fly to Leicestershire?
Spain dominates the departure boards here with 14 direct routes, which tells you everything about what EMA does best: affordable sun-chasing. Greece adds another 10 routes, Italy gives you 5, and Turkey rounds things out with 4. That's serious southern European coverage from a single regional airport. Ryanair and Jet2 both operate heavily out of here, which keeps prices competitive and frequency high on the popular leisure routes. What genuinely surprised me is the reach. The longest route out of EMA stretches 4,495 km to Boa Vista in Cape Verde, which means proper long-haul-adjacent escapes are on the table. At the other end, Dublin sits just 334 km away, making a quick Irish weekend trip completely viable. That range, from a short hop to the Atlantic islands, is what earns EMA its 74 reach score.
Longest non-stop flights from EMA
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Leicestershire:
- Boa Vista, Cape Verde (BVC) — 4,495 km, approximately 5h 37m
- Sal, Cape Verde (SID) — 4,434 km, approximately 5h 33m
- Hurghada, Egypt (HRG) — 4,061 km, approximately 5h 5m
- Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt (SSH) — 4,024 km, approximately 5h 2m
- Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel (TLV) — 3,704 km, approximately 4h 38m
Short-haul flights from EMA
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Leicestershire:
- Dublin, Ireland (DUB) — 334 km, approximately 25 min
- Belfast, United Kingdom (BHD) — 359 km, approximately 27 min
- Belfast, United Kingdom (BFS) — 381 km, approximately 29 min
- Jersey, Jersey (JER) — 407 km, approximately 31 min
- Knock, Ireland (NOC) — 511 km, approximately 38 min
Top countries by direct connections from EMA
Nottingham Airport connects to 27 countries. Here are the most served:
- Spain — 14 destinations (Alicante, Barcelona, Corvera, Girona and 10 more)
- Greece — 10 destinations (Chania, Heraklion, Kefallinia, Kerkyra and 6 more)
- Italy — 5 destinations (Milan, Naples, Rome, Venice and 1 more)
- Turkiye — 4 destinations (Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Izmir)
- France — 3 destinations (Bergerac, Carcassonne, Limoges)
- Poland — 3 destinations (Gdansk, Krakow, Wroclaw)
- United Kingdom — 2 destinations (Belfast, Belfast)
- Cape Verde — 2 destinations (Boa Vista, Sal)
Where to fly from Leicestershire
Flights to Spain
Leicestershire has 14 direct routes to Spain:
- Girona (GRO) — 1,253 km
- Barcelona (BCN) — 1,307 km
- Reus (REU) — 1,312 km
- Valencia (VLC) — 1,484 km
- Menorca (MAH) — 1,502 km
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI) — 1,509 km
- ...and 8 more destinations
Flights to Greece
Leicestershire has 10 direct routes to Greece:
- Kerkyra (CFU) — 2,183 km
- Thessaloniki (SKG) — 2,286 km
- Preveza (PVK) — 2,288 km
- Kefallinia (EFL) — 2,343 km
- Zakinthos (ZTH) — 2,396 km
- Skiathos (JSI) — 2,425 km
- ...and 4 more destinations
Flights to Italy
Leicestershire has 5 direct routes to Italy:
- Milan (BGY) — 1,127 km
- Verona (VRN) — 1,211 km
- Venice (TSF) — 1,262 km
- Rome (CIA) — 1,608 km
- Naples (NAP) — 1,774 km
Tips for travelers at EMA
The airport sits right off junction 24 of the M1, so driving is genuinely straightforward from most of Leicestershire. Budget 45 minutes from Leicester city centre in normal traffic. Skylink Express buses run direct connections from Nottingham and Leicester if you want to skip the parking fees entirely. Book parking in advance online and you can save 40 to 60 percent versus turning up on the day. Summer school holidays send prices spiking across all the Spanish and Greek routes, so shift your travel by even one week in early June or late August and you'll notice the difference immediately.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Leicestershire
How do I get from Nottingham Airport to the city center?
You can take the Skylink bus service which runs directly to Nottingham city center and takes about 30-40 minutes, or grab a taxi/ride-share which typically costs £25-35 depending on traffic. The airport is only about 14 miles from the city, so it's a pretty straightforward trip.
What's the best time to fly from Nottingham Airport?
Early morning flights tend to be more reliable and less crowded, while mid-week departures (Tuesday-Thursday) are usually cheaper than weekend flights. Summer and school holidays get busier, so if you're flexible, flying in shoulder seasons like April-May or September-October offers a nice balance of good weather and fewer crowds.
How many destinations can I fly to directly from Nottingham Airport?
Nottingham Airport offers 67 direct destinations, giving you plenty of options across Europe and beyond without needing to change planes. This includes popular city breaks, beach holidays, and business destinations throughout the continent.
Do I need a visa to travel from Nottingham Airport?
As a UK airport, visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination—UK citizens can travel visa-free to most EU countries for short stays, while non-UK visitors should check specific entry requirements for their destination country. It's always best to verify requirements well in advance, especially post-Brexit, as rules vary by nationality and destination.
What's a practical tip for using Nottingham Airport?
Arrive at least 2 hours before your flight and download the airport's app or check their website for real-time updates on queues and facilities. The airport is relatively compact and easy to get through, but it can get busy during peak times, so getting there early makes the experience much smoother.
Is flying from Nottingham Airport more affordable than other UK airports?
Nottingham Airport often offers competitive fares, especially for European destinations, and you might save money on parking and ground transport compared to larger hubs like Birmingham or East Midlands. Plus, with 67 direct routes, you can often find better deals by flying direct rather than connecting through major airports.
Plan your trip from Leicestershire
Browse the complete list of 67 destinations below to find your next flight from Nottingham Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.