East Midlands Airport has created a Quiet Room for people to have a moment away from the noise and overwhelming atmosphere of the main departure lounge, launching the new space during Neurodiversity Celebration Week
East Midlands operates an Assisted Travel service to support travellers with additional requirements through the airport journey. The service helped 100,000 people in 2025 and is seeing an increase in requests from people with neurodivergent conditions.
“We are proud that as part of our ongoing commitment to providing an effortless travel experience for all our customers, East Midlands Airport is the first to introduce a dedicated soundproof sensory pod of this type in the UK,” said Mike Grimes, East Midlands Airport’s Director of Customer Service and Planning. “Alongside a larger, modern Quiet Room in a less busy part of the departure lounge, these facilities enhance our offer of Assisted Travel to customers who need a helping hand. We know that for many, this can make the difference between being able to choose to go on holiday or not.”
The existing Quiet Room in the departure lounge is now being converted into a children’s activity space, allowing more space for the new, larger Quiet Room. One core feature of the new space is a sensory pod named the Calmpod, which was supplied by Oliveti Group. Fully wheelchair accessible, the pod is designed to reduce noise levels outside with adjustable lighting and ventilation.
“We conducted a survey to understand the struggles that people with neurodivergent needs experience on a day-to-day basis,” commented Gian Oliveti, Managing Director at Oliveti Group. “The survey highlighted the need for the integration of dedicated quiet spaces within most public environments. We’re proud to have developed and supplied the first dedicated CalmPod Sensory pod at East Midlands Airport, with its design informed by guidance from multiple occupational therapists to ensure an optimal sensory experience.”
Photo: East Midlands Airport
