Five million people set to escape abroad over festive season

As many as five million travellers are expected to head overseas over the Christmas and new year period, Abta estimates.

The first full festive season after pandemic travel restrictions will see December 23 as the busiest day for departures.

Abta members report strong demand in the first full winter sports season after three years of Covid-19 travel curbs, with France and Switzerland leading the way.

The top destinations for winter sun are the Canary Islands, southern Spain, Turkey, Portugal and Egypt plus Jamaica, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Dubai and Mexico.

The most popular overseas city break destinations for new year celebrations include include New York, Paris, Amsterdam and Dublin.

Heathrow expects more than three million arriving and departing passengers in the last two weeks of December.

A snapshot shows that 640,000 are set to depart from Stansted, 470,000 from Luton, in addition to around 500,000 from Manchester, 175,000 from Bristol and hundreds of thousands through Gatwick. 

Others will be leaving from Scottish airports, with 296,000 travelling through Edinburgh alone, as well as from other regional airports.

A significant number of people are also travelling across the Channel by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel.

Abta is encouraging people to plan ahead for their journeys and leave a little extra time to get to their departure port without unnecessary stress. With train strikes scheduled, some prior planning is essential.

Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Christmas and New Year are always very busy times for travel and this year will be very special as millions have the first opportunity after travel restrictions have lifted to spend quality time with friends and family abroad over the festive period.

“Abta members are delighted to enable people to fulfil their dreams of travel over Christmas. 

“We also know that once the immediate festivities are out of the way, many people will be thinking about their holidays for 2023. 

“Early booking is always advisable to avoid disappointment, get the best prices and have something to look forward to, especially at busy times of year, and our Members are on hand to help people get the best value break for next year.”