Immigration Hall Wood Panelling

As part of a wider programme of terminal improvements at EMA, Oliveti Construction was appointed to deliver feature wood panelling within the immigration hall, the first space passengers encounter after arriving at the airport.

The installation used a natural oak finish, chosen to complement improvements being made elsewhere in the terminal and to give arriving passengers a warmer welcome. Works were completed over two weeks, with the team working in a live terminal environment throughout. To minimise disruption to passengers, barriers were erected and work was paused during flight arrivals.

The result is a noticeably different feel to the space, and one that EMA noted as part of a broader effort to improve the arrivals experience in response to customer feedback.

Calmpod Sensory Pod and Quiet Room

Earlier this year, Oliveti Accessibility supplied and developed the Calmpod Sensory Pod as part of EMA’s new inclusive travel facilities in the departure lounge. Installed alongside a newly created Quiet Room, it is the first dedicated sensory pod of its kind at a UK airport.

The Calmpod is fully wheelchair accessible, with an electrically assisted door, acoustic insulation designed to reduce surrounding noise to levels comparable to a quiet bedroom, and a glass frontage that allows users to maintain a visual connection with the terminal around them. A foldable bench provides an ideal space for a parent or carer to sit alongside, and the pod includes adjustable lighting, user-controlled ventilation and sensory equipment selected with input from an occupational therapist.

The installation was informed by a survey conducted by Oliveti, which included many individuals who identify as neurodivergent. Over a third said a lack of quiet spaces was a barrier to visiting busy public environments, and half said a dedicated quiet space would improve their experience at an airport.

The facilities were launched during Neurodiversity Celebration Week and complement EMA’s award-winning Assisted Travel service, which supported more than 100,000 customers in 2025.

Little Flyers Children’s Play Zone

Most recently, Oliveti Construction carried out the full fit-out of EMA’s new Little Flyers interactive play zone, a space designed to keep younger travellers engaged while families wait to board.

The area previously served as a Quiet Room for Assisted Travel customers. Over a three-week programme, the Oliveti team transformed it into a bright, airport-themed play space. Works included removing a partition wall and doors, stripping carpet tiles, repainting woodwork and skirting, relocating electrical sockets and replacing ceiling tiles throughout.

As with the immigration hall project, the works were delivered in a live airport environment, requiring careful coordination around the day-to-day operation of the terminal.

The finished space features a role play plane on runway flooring, seven airport-themed games on the walls, and activity packs for young travellers. The response from passengers since opening has been extremely positive.

A Group Effort

Together, these projects reflect the wide-ranging contribution Oliveti Group can make to improve a single site. Construction fit-out, specialist accessibility products and commercial interiors, delivered across different phases and for different purposes, but all contributing to the same goal: a better experience for people using East Midlands Airport.

Roxanne Butler, Senior Project Manager at East Midlands Airport, shared her thoughts on the projects:

From initial planning through to final handover, the contractor demonstrated exceptional professionalism, collaboration and commitment to delivering high-quality facilities. The projects were completed to an excellent standard, with a strong focus on safety and minimising disruption to airport operations and passengers throughout the construction phase.

The finished play area has transformed an underutilised space into a vibrant, engaging environment that significantly enhances the passenger experience for families travelling through the airport. The facility has provided children with a safe and stimulating area to play while offering parents and guardians a more comfortable and enjoyable airport journey.

The sensory pod has made good use of a space close to the new quiet room, which together provide a complementary enhancement to the airport’s exceptional assisted travel service. The facility has been expertly delivered, with significant thought and research into the requirements of end users with neurodivergent conditions. We are proud to have the first sensory pod of its kind at a UK airport, and as the mother of a boy with autism, it was especially rewarding to be involved in this project and to work with Oliveti to use my own experiences to help shape how the new facility was developed.

The completed sensory pod, alongside the new quiet room, provide safe spaces for those who need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the departure lounge to recompose themselves. It has been very well received by both airport staff and passengers and stands as a testament to the contractor’s expertise and professionalism.

Following the successful delivery of these projects, I would have no hesitation in recommending Oliveti Group for future projects and look forward to the opportunity to work with them again.