The lull between the summer holidays ending and the festive season beginning is used by airports across the UK to prepare for a surge in demand during December.
With just over two months of 2025 left, the super-organised among us will already be either preparing a festive getaway or looking even further ahead into the New Year.
A traveller’s intended destination often dictates the airport they travel from, but here in the East Midlands we’re fortunate to be near a regional airport serving more than 80 destinations.
East Midlands Airport is used by millions of people each year, making it the 14th-busiest airport in the UK.
The airport is set to get even busier in 2026, with several new destinations already confirmed for next year.
From sun-kissed Mediterranean islands to major European cities, these exciting new routes are now taking bookings.
Here are the 9 new routes launching from East Midlands airport in 2026, including Thessaloniki and Geneva:
5. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
TUI is reintroducing direct flights from East Midlands Airport to the popular Egyptian destination of Sharm El Sheikh for Summer 2026, following strong customer demand. The service will operate twice-weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, with the first flight scheduled for Thursday, 26 March 2026. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
6. Agadir, Morocco
Jet2 will be starting flights from EMA to Agadir, Morocco, from November 2026. This weekly service will run throughout the 2026/27 winter season, until March 2027. Photo: Getty Images
7. Preveza, Greece
Those after some Mediterranean sun can reach the Greek city of Preveza with Jet2 from summer 2026. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
8. Pula, Croatia
Pula, Croatia, is part of EMA's new summer 2026 offering thanks to Jet2. Photo: Pa Wa