Almost 2m bank holiday Brits set to head abroad

Spain is the top destination for British travellers leaving the country in droves over the bank holiday weekend.

ABTA estimates that 1.9 million holidaymakers are set to leave the country over the bank holiday, which also coincides with the start of school half term.

High numbers will be flying out of the South East with 390,000 from Heathrow, 240,000 Gatwick, 150,000 from Stanstead and nearly 70,000 from Luton.

From the North and the Midlands 120,000 will leave from Manchester airport, 65,000 Birmingham, and 40,000 Nottingham East Midlands.

It is not a bank holiday in Scotland, ABTA says it will still be a busy weekend for all Scottish airports, with tens of thousands due to fly away including 20,000 from Prestwick.

Other regional airports and ferry terminals will also be very busy and 80,000 will be heading under the channel on Eurostar.

Spain remains the top destination with the Canary and Balearic islands leading the way.

Italy and Turkey have sold very well, while Egypt and Greece are also in the top 10.

Florida will be very busy as families take advantage of lower prices in May for a week’s break, according to ABTA.

The top five city break destinations are Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Rome and New York.

ABTA president Justin Fleming said: “Much has been talked about the credit crunch this year, but there is real strength in the travel industry as is shown by the number of people leaving the country this weekend.

“Many of our members are reporting good financial results against a steady increase in bookings.”

by Phil Davies