East Midlands Airport at 60: Here are the 6 destinations you could fly to during its first summer season

This week marks 60 years since East Midlands Airport (EMA) first opened its doors, paving the way for people across Nottinghamshire to experience international travel.

On April 2, 1965, the former RAF reopened as EMA, replacing the redundant Derby Airport.

Originally built as RAF Castle Donington in 1943, the base was decommissioned three years later.

The airport was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on July 21, with its first flight arriving from Glasgow.

By 1970, EMA’s runway was extended by 7,480ft to allow the airport to receive larger aircraft, with the first Boeing 747 landing eight years later.

These days EMA serves more than 70 destinations across Europe and the world, welcoming millions of passengers each year.

By contrast, those using EMA in 1966 had just six destinations to choose from.

Here are the destinations from EMA’s first full summer season in 1966:

• St Aubin Airport (France)
• The Hague Airport (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
• Schiphol (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
• Gatwick (England)
• Jersey (Channel Islands)
• Dublin (Ireland)