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Record numbers to travel abroad for Christmas/New Year
A record 3.5 million people will be travelling abroad over Christmas and New Year, starting today (Friday), ABTA estimates.
Saturday will be the busiest day for travel but December 30 will come a close second as people head off for New Year’s Eve, according to ABTA.
The Canary Islands, Egypt and Goa top the winter sun list while Dubai is attracting people with its good shopping facilities.
Strong early snow conditions in Europe have helped France, Austria and Italy sell well while more adventurous snow sports enthusiasts are heading to the US and Canada to make the most of the weak dollar.
Many are taking city breaks, especially over the New Year, with Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York topping the list.
BAA estimate that 2.7 million people will be leaving through its seven airports, which include Heathrow 1.2 million, Gatwick 600,000, Stansted 360,000, Southampton 25,000 and the main Scottish airports, Glasgow 110,000, Edinburgh 110,000 and Aberdeen 42,000.
An additional 270,000 will fly from Manchester, 170,000 from Luton and 130,000 from Birmingham.
More than 200,000 will travel over or under the English Channel with over 150,000 on Eurostar.
ABTA president Justin Fleming said: “This is always a peak time for travel as people make the most of the bank holidays and once again there are a record number travelling.”
by Phil Davies
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