East Midlands Airport to act as temporary base for RAF aircraft from July

The Ministry of Defence is carrying out essential resurfacing and improvement works on the airfield operating surface at RAF Brize Norton.

The airfield needs to be temporarily closed, and all airfield operations and flights are being relocated to a number of alternative locations around the UK. The A330 Voyager fleet will operate out of East Midlands as well as Prestwick and Stansted airports.

Once the resurfacing work has been completed at Brize Norton, the aircraft are expected to return in late November.

RAF Brize Norton is the UK's primary military air mobility hub, supporting the movement of personnel, equipment and humanitarian supplies across the globe. The RAF has stated that missions, including global logistics, humanitarian operations and support to allies, will continue without interruption. Locations like East Midlands Airport are being secured and protected in readiness for the dispersed operation.

The short-term RAF presence at East Midlands Airport is expected to result in only a minimal increase in road or air traffic, with a small number of flights carrying defence passengers and freight between the Falkland Islands, Cyprus and East Midlands each week.

East Midlands Airport's Operations Director Lauren Turner said: "We're honoured to act as the temporary base for some of the RAF's A330 Voyagers that usually operate out of Brize Norton.

"We have developed strong working relationships with the RAF over the years and are pleased to be able to help with the dispersal of their fleets while upgrades take place at their base. We look forward to supporting them and no doubt the presence of their aircraft in the skies around us will excite some interest locally."