Two million British holidaymakers are set to jet off abroad over the Easter weekend, with one airport bracing for “record-breaking” passenger numbers.
Turkey, Dubai and the Canary Islands are among the most popular destinations amid wet and windy weather forecast for the UK, although trips to Dublin are also in demand.
Travel trade organisation Abta said airports are reporting “strong numbers”, with 175,000 due to leave from Stansted, 105,000 from Luton, 160,000 from Manchester, 79,000 from Birmingham, and 89,000 from Edinburgh between Friday and Monday.
? Flying out for the first time this year over the Easter holiday?
If so, be sure to take a look at our ultimate airport guide ?? https://t.co/xiX2e8U7Xy
Let us know where you’re going, by using the 3 letter airport code!#MAN ? pic.twitter.com/0czqoufpOb
— Manchester Airport (@manairport) March 28, 2024
Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: “It’s exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter: 320,000 people will travel (through the airport) over the bank holiday weekend – that’s up 7% on April 2023.”
Glasgow predicts more than 90,000 passengers over the four days, while Birmingham Airport said it expects a 27.2% increase in departures on last year over the full Easter period.
Bristol, which predicts 30,000 holiday trips on Easter Sunday alone, advised: “If travelling with Easter eggs, passengers are advised to keep any chocolate treats in your cabin baggage and to make sure they’re easily accessible as they may need to be opened for a quick check.”
Liverpool Airport expects around 60,000 passengers over the four days, which is around 7% higher than last year.
From 4pm on Thursday, the RAC expects the M25 to be the busiest route in both directions between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 in Hertfordshire-with journeys taking more than two hours – over double the usual time.
The RAC and transport analysis company Inrix commissioned a survey which suggested 2.6 million leisure journeys by car will be made on Good Friday.
The lengthiest delays are expected to be between 11am and 3pm, meaning drivers are advised to set off as early as possible in the morning or wait until later in the afternoon.
Two popular routes for holidaymakers – the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton, and the M3 between the M25 and the south coast – are likely to be congested.
It’s a very gusty afternoon along the south coast.
If you are out driving today here are some top tips for driving in high winds from our partners @TheRAC_UK and @NationalHways #WeatherReady pic.twitter.com/mDsVGGaui4
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 28, 2024
Some 2.3 million getaway trips are planned for each of Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with 2.0 million expected to take place on each of Thursday and Easter Monday.
A further 3.3 million leisure journeys have been planned by drivers who are undecided exactly what day they will travel, leading to a total of around 14.5 million getaway trips between Thursday and Easter Monday.
Meanwhile, around 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the Port of Dover between Thursday and Easter Monday.
Car traffic at the port faced around a 10-minute wait at French Border Control on Thursday morning.
Ferry firm Stena Line said bookings on Irish Sea routes are up 115% on an average weekend at this time of year and have increased by 26% on Easter weekend 2023.
? 10 days of major rail upgrades around Huddersfield begin this Easter weekend.
?️ Part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme to improve journeys across the North of England:
? Previous work at Huddersfield station#TRU pic.twitter.com/iiiWvQaGfo
— Network Rail (@networkrail) March 28, 2024
Wightlink said there is still availability for last-minute bookings on ferries to and from the Isle of Wight.
Brittany Ferries said sailings to France and Spain are “busy”, though overall volumes are in-line with last year.
Elsewhere, Network Rail is urging train passengers to check their journey details before they travel because some major routes will be closed due to engineering work.
The West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Milton Keynes will be shut for four days from Good Friday.
There will also be disruption in the areas around Glasgow and Huddersfield.
Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million people in the UK are planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated £3.2 billion boost to the economy.
