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Overseas Christmas getaway for three million
Thursday, 18 Dec, 2009
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Three million people will be travelling abroad over Christmas and new year, ABTA estimates
Just as many people as last year are looking to get away over the festive period despite the recession.
The busiest days before Christmas are yesterday, today (Friday) and Wednesday, December 23.
Top winter sun destinations are Tenerife, Egypt, Dubai, Turkey and the Caribbean.
More than two million people will be leaving the country through BAA airports, which include Heathrow where 1.5 million will be leaving, Stansted 400,000, Southampton 31,000 and the main Scottish airports, Glasgow 150,000, Edinburgh 105,000 and Aberdeen 45,000.
In addition 500,000 will fly from Gatwick,320,000 from Manchester, 250,000 from Luton and 70,000 from Newcastle, 136,400 from Birmingham, 70,000 from East Midlands
Over 200,000 will travel over or under the English Channel with a further 225,000 travelling away by Eurostar, despite strike threats to the high speed rail service.
Many will also be looking to take short New Year breaks to cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Dublin and New York.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Passengers booked on BA must be breathing a huge sigh of relief as they can now look forward to their long-planned for holiday. The travel industry is also relieved that the strike has been called off.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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