East Midlands Airport (EMA) in England has initiated a £120 million ($153 million) infrastructure modernization program with a focus on improving passenger security processing.

The project will make changes throughout the airport and will be carried out over five years. According to EMA, work on an extension of the airport’s security hall is now underway. “Internal improvements will include enhancements to the entrance portal to improve access into the main security area, as well as enhancements to the facility to improve its look and feel,” EMA says in a statement.

The airport says the security hall upgrade will include installing “next-generation body and baggage scanning technology … to allow passengers to pass through security checks without the need to separate electronic devices from baggage.” EMA notes its security processing is “typically under 15 minutes” for passengers at present. The airport expects the clearance time to be faster with new equipment and facility alterations.

Three airlines base aircraft at the airport: Ryanair (eight aircraft), JET2.com (seven aircraft) and TUI (five aircraft during peak summer flying). EMA is also a significant cargo airport, taking advantage of its location in central England. DHL, FedEx and United Parcel Service all have hubs at EMA.

EMA is also “exploring a range of options” to improve the flow of landside passenger drop-offs at the airport. “In addition, work has begun to upgrade the terminal roof, which due to the age of the building is in need of remedial work,” the airport says. “The first phase will focus on the roof above the departure lounge area, which during heavy rainfall can suffer from leaks.”

Also planned is reconstructing and resurfacing EMA’s taxiways. “The size and number of aircraft using EMA has increased, and this drives the need to invest in renewing and reconstructing some of the most heavily trafficked areas to better accommodate modern aircraft,” the airport says. “This work will be carried out through carefully managed programs of closures, including overnight and at weekends and in consultation with airlines, so disruption is minimized.”

EMA says air traffic control technology will be upgraded, as will electricity substations around the airport.

“Our passenger numbers are almost back to pre-COVID levels,” says Steve Griffiths, EMA’s managing director. “This program of substantial investment at EMA demonstrates our confidence in the future.”

Griffiths has previously said he is “keen for EMA to appeal to a wider catchment area, with its central location right next to the motorway network a key selling point and 30 million people within two hours’ drive.”