19 December 2008

Christmas rush overseas for 3 million

More than three million people will be heading overseas over Christmas and New Year.

According to ABTA estimates, the peak getaway period between December 20 and January 1 will be as busy as ever despite the economic downturn.

Early snow in Europe has meant that the ski season opened early and snow has also been falling across many resorts this week.

Winter sun favourites are Tenerife, Egypt, Turkey, the Caribbean. Dubai and the Middle East.

The busiest days before Christmas will be today (December 19) and tomorrow..

But airports will be even busier on Saturday, December 27 when many will also be looking to take short New Year breaks to cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Dublin, Athens and New York.

Others will be looking at destinations outside the Eurozone, such as Budapest and Warsaw, according to ABTA.

More than two million people will be jetting off through BAA airports, which include Heathrow where 1.1 million will be leaving, Gatwick 500,000, Stansted 250,000, Southampton 24,000 and the main Scottish airports, Glasgow 200,000, Edinburgh 105,000 and Aberdeen 44,500.

In addition 290,00 will fly from Manchester, 250,000 from Luton and 28,000 from Leeds/Bradford.

More than 200,000 will travel away over or under the English Channel with a further 210,000 travelling by Eurostar.

ABTA president Justin Fleming said: "Holidays - especially at this time of year - are considered to be so much more than a luxury. They provide a valuable time to unwind and spend quality time with family."

by Phil Davies