East Midlands Airport FastTrack — Key Facts
East Midlands Airport (EMA) offers online FastTrack booking starting from From £16.00 per person. Average FastTrack wait is Under 5 minutes, saving ~10 minutes compared to standard screening. Available at 1 terminal.
What Is FastTrack Security?
FastTrack Security is a dedicated, pre-bookable security lane available at participating airports worldwide. It allows all passengers — regardless of airline or ticket class — to bypass the standard security queue and pass through a separate, less crowded checkpoint.
By booking FastTrack in advance, you secure a spot in a priority lane that typically has significantly shorter wait times than the regular queue. This means less time standing in line and more time enjoying the terminal, shopping, or simply relaxing before your flight.
FastTrack Security is available to everyone — families, solo travellers, business passengers, and leisure flyers alike. There are no membership requirements or loyalty programme tiers needed to access the service.
What FastTrack Is Not
- Not airport lounge access — FastTrack only covers the security screening process
- Not priority boarding — your boarding process remains as per your airline's policy
- Not immigration fast-track — passport control and border checks are separate from security screening
Airport Overview
About East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport (EMA) is a regional UK airport located in Castle Donington, positioned between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. It is a single-terminal airport handling a mix of short-haul scheduled services, holiday charters and significant cargo operations. The terminal is compact and designed for quick transfers between check-in and departure gates, making it well suited to time-conscious travellers.
The passenger terminal is effectively one building with central check-in and security areas feeding a departures concourse and piers where gates are located. Airlines operating regularly from EMA include Ryanair, Jet2, TUI Airways, Loganair and several regional carriers; seasonal routes to continental Europe and the Mediterranean are common in summer. Ground transport options include direct road links to the M1 (J24), regular coach and bus services to Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and national coach routes, plus rail connections via East Midlands Parkway (a short shuttle or taxi from the terminal) and mainline stations in Derby and Nottingham.
Security Information
Security at EMA follows standard UK requirements: liquids in containers of 100 ml or less carried in a single clear 1-litre resealable bag; laptops and large electronics should be removed from bags and placed separately in trays; belts, shoes and jackets may be required for screening depending on the lane. The airport uses a mix of walk-through metal detectors and body scanners; staff may select passengers for additional hand or bag searches.
The FastTrack service provides access to a dedicated priority security lane in the departures hall that significantly reduces queuing time for eligible passengers. Note that FastTrack applies to security screening only and does not bypass airline check-in, ID checks at the gate or immigration for international flights.
Terminal Guide
Main Terminal
Accessibility
The terminal is step-free with lifts and accessible toilets. Security staff can assist passengers with reduced mobility; inform your airline or the airport assistance desk in advance for priority handling through security.
Good to know
FastTrack operates subject to capacity and may be closed at short notice during very quiet periods or when staffing levels require. Present your mobile or printed voucher to staff at the FastTrack lane entrance.
How It Works
Purchase FastTrack
Buy a FastTrack pass online in advance or through an authorised reseller for the date of travel.
Receive Voucher
You will receive a digital booking confirmation or QR code—save this to your phone or print it.
Go to Departures
Arrive at the departures hall, complete check-in and bag drop with your airline, then proceed to the security area.
Present Voucher at FastTrack Lane
Show your voucher/QR and boarding pass to the FastTrack attendant to gain priority access to the dedicated security lane.
What's Included
Included
- Access to a dedicated priority security lane at departures
- Quicker processing through security subject to operational capacity
- Assistance from security staff at the FastTrack lane entry
Not Included
- Priority check-in, bag drop or boarding
- Passport control / immigration fast-track
- Guaranteed time limit for screening or exemption from secondary searches
- Lounge access
Required Documents
- Digital voucher or printed booking confirmation
- Valid government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID where applicable)
- Boarding pass for the departing flight
Restrictions
- Not valid for arriving passengers or immigration/ passport control
- May be restricted by capacity on peak days
- Not valid in lieu of airline or security documentation checks
- Subject to airport operating hours and staffing
Hours & Booking Rules
| Terminal | Opens | Closes | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal | 04:00 | 22:00 | Hours may vary with flight schedules; FastTrack lane opening times can change on low-traffic days—check your booking or the airport site for the flight day. |
Booking Rules
FastTrack is valid only for the security checkpoint at EMA departures. Each pass admits one person unless a multi-person product is purchased. FastTrack does not cover check-in, boarding, immigration or bag drop queues. The service is subject to capacity and may be withdrawn during exceptional operational circumstances.
Lead Times
- Minimum booking: 1 hours before travel
- Recommended: 2 hours before travel
Refund Policy
Refundable
Free cancellation up to 4 hours before departure. Non-refundable after that.
Is FastTrack Worth It at East Midlands Airport?
At East Midlands Airport the terminal is compact but queues at security can build at peak times, particularly on summer Sundays and early-morning charter departures. FastTrack reduces the time spent in queues, making it valuable for passengers with short connection windows, families with young children, or anyone travelling with tight schedules.
Local tip: If you're travelling from Nottingham or Derby, consider parking at East Midlands Parkway and taking the airport shuttle/taxi for a stress-free transfer—it can save time compared with driving into the terminal forecourt during busy periods. Also, book FastTrack in advance on travel-heavy days (school holidays, bank holidays) as capacity is limited.
Average Wait Times
Who benefits from FastTrack at EMA?
Business travellers
Save time and minimise queue-related stress when travelling on tight schedules or to early-morning meetings.
Families
Reduce time spent managing children through security and avoid long waits with pushchairs and carry-ons.
Time-conscious leisure travellers
Ideal for passengers who want to spend more time in the departures lounge or need a reliable route through security on busy days.
Travel Tips
Arrive with time to spare
FastTrack speeds security but does not extend check-in or boarding times. Aim to arrive 90–120 minutes before short-haul flights.
Prepare liquids and electronics
Place liquids in a clear 1-litre bag and remove laptops/tablets from bags before the conveyor to avoid secondary checks.
Consider East Midlands Parkway
East Midlands Parkway rail station is a short taxi/shuttle from the terminal and can ease travel from Derby/Nottingham during busy road periods.
Book FastTrack for peak days
Purchase in advance for travel during school holidays, bank holidays and popular weekend departure times to guarantee access.
Pricing
From £16.00 per person
FastTrack vs Standard Security
| Feature | FastTrack | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Priority security lane | Yes | No |
| Reduced average wait time | Yes | No |
| Guaranteed screening under 10 minutes | No | No |
| Includes passport control or immigration | No | No |
The Verdict
FastTrack wins on 2 of 4 features at East Midlands Airport. With dedicated service and priority handling from From £16.00 per person, it offers a measurably better experience.
Common Mistakes at East Midlands Airport
- Arriving too close to check-in close time—FastTrack speeds security but does not extend check-in or boarding deadlines.
- Assuming FastTrack covers passport control — FastTrack at EMA applies to security lanes only, not immigration for international arrivals or transfers.
- Not preparing carry-on items (liquids/electronics) which can still trigger secondary screening and delay you despite using FastTrack.
- Parking on the forecourt without a pre-booked space and then rushing—pre-book long-stay or mid-stay to save time on busy days.
- Missing local transport options: assuming there’s a direct rail station at the terminal (East Midlands Parkway requires a short shuttle/taxi).
What If...?
- During extreme peaks or operational disruptions the FastTrack lane may be temporarily closed or integrated with normal queues for security throughput balance.
- Passengers selected for additional screening (random checks, hand searches or cabin baggage examination) will need to rejoin a separate screening and the FastTrack lane may not speed this process.
- Groups or families with multiple small children may be asked to use the standard lane so staff can carry out checks safely and comfortably.
- If you have oversized carry-on items or are carrying restricted goods you will be directed to a different search area; FastTrack will not bypass required specialist screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a question? Browse all FastTrack FAQs
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Written by FastTrack Editorial Team · Source: East Midlands Airport official website
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