[August 20th 2008]
As one of the wettest and windiest August’s for years draws on, almost 1.5 million passengers are expected to head for sunnier climes from the UK’s airports this Bank Holiday weekend.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) says that over 420,000 will leave from Heathrow airport, 260,000 from Gatwick airport and 160,000 from Stansted airport. Luton airport says it expects close to 150,000 passengers over the weekend, an increase of 4% on last year.
Outside London, the regional airports will also be busy. Manchester airport is likely to handle 160,000 departing passengers, Birmingham airport 70,000 and Nottingham East Midlands airport 50,000. In Scotland a total of about 140,000 will fly out from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports.
ABTA anticipates about 85,000 people will depart via Eurostar, and another 400,000 by ferry or Eurotunnel. “The August bank holiday is our traditional goodbye to the summer and is always very busy. This year is no exception with large numbers escaping to guaranteed sunshine, sandy beaches and warm seas,” says ABTA president, Justin Fleming.
According to ABTA most popular destinations remain mainland Spain, the Balearic islands and Greek islands, with Turkey, Cyprus and Portugal following closely behind. Luton airport says that city breaks are also popular, including Dublin, Barcelona, Paris, Prague, Rome and Vienna.
Gatwick and Stansted are set to be hit by the airport strike planned on Bank Holiday Monday and Friday August 29th by baggage handlers and check in staff employed by Swissport who are members of the Unite union. The advice for passengers travelling from Gatwick and Stansted is to check with their airline to see whether their flight will be disrupted.
Manchester airport says it will not be hit by strikes on Bank Holiday Monday. Dates for the proposed strike at Manchester airport are August 27th and September 1st. Similarly, Newcastle airport says the strike ballot of Swissport employees at the airport does not close until August 26th, so the airport will not be affected by a strike on the August Bank Holiday.
Written by: Nick Purdom
Start your holiday early – book an Airport Hotel at an unbeatable price with Holiday Extras
FREE customer support 0800 093 5478