UK airports expecting busiest Christmas on record as millions travel for festive break
UK airports are gearing up for the busiest Christmas season on record as millions take to the skies over the holiday break.
Regulators have urged passengers to “plan ahead” as airports including London Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester are expecting their busiest Christmas yet.
Passengers lined up at major air transport hubs on Friday, which is expected to be the busiest day for travel during the entire festive period.
Travel trade organization ABTA predicts more than five million people will go abroad from Friday to 4 January, with 19 December set to be the busiest day for departures.
Manchester airport said it was preparing for its busiest Christmas ever as more than 1.5 million passengers passed through.
It was stated that the busiest days will be December 19 and December 28. More than 100,000 passengers were expected in those days.
Chris Woodroofe, chief executive of Manchester airport, advised people not to take wrapped gifts through security, reminding passengers to check in in advance and ensure they are wrapped properly.
Similarly, Heathrow is expecting its busiest ever December and Christmas Day, while London Gatwick expects festive travel numbers to rise 3 per cent on last year.
Selina Chadha, Director of Consumer and Markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Millions of people will be traveling to spend Christmas with loved ones this year and a little preparation will go a long way.
“You can keep yourself safe by taking a moment to check what you’re bringing and planning your journey in advance. This festive season, remember: pack safely, fly safely.”
Ms Chadha reminded travelers to check their route and flight status to the airport before leaving home, be aware of baggage limits and arrive on time, especially if you are traveling with children or extra winter items that may require further checking.
On Friday, passengers flying between Dubai and the UK were already facing problems after overnight storms caused diversions and delays.
Passengers leaving Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle airports on Thursday afternoon found their flights diverted to World Central, Dubai’s second airport, just after midnight. Their plane remained grounded for hours before flying to its intended destination, Dubai International, just 45 miles away.
Flights later on Friday morning often run 90 minutes behind schedule, jeopardizing connections.
Under air passenger rights rules, passengers from the UK whose schedules have been disrupted have the right to fly on any airline to their final destination as quickly as possible and be provided with meals and hotels until they arrive.
Roads in England are also expected to be the busiest in history this Christmas; Traffic is expected to peak on Friday, with about 24.4 million cars on the highways.
