Millions head abroad for Christmas
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nearly four million Britons will head overseas over the Christmas and new year period, travel organisation Abta said today.
Those seeking sun are heading for such destinations as Spain, Dubai, Turkey and Florida.
The European ski season has started early and Geneva is the most popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Top city-break destinations include Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Dublin, New York and Sydney.
Abta said the busiest pre-Christmas days for travel will be tomorrow and next Thursday.
Around 1.5 million travellers will be leaving from Heathrow airport over the Christmas and new year period, with 700,000 flying from Gatwick, 370,000 from Stansted, 323,000 from Manchester, 250,000 from Luton, 138,000 from Birmingham and 70,000 from Newcastle.
Also, 145,000 will depart from Edinburgh airport, 101,000 from Glasgow and 48,000 from Aberdeen.
Monarch Airlines is flying 200,000 people abroad from tomorrow until Sunday January 9 - a 20% increase over the 2009/10 festive period.
Monarch's most popular destinations this Christmas are Tenerife, Alicante on Spain's Costa Blanca, and Malaga in southern Spain.
More than 200,000 will travel across the Channel or through the Channel Tunnel and a further 225,000 will use high-speed Eurostar trains on services between London and Paris and Brussels.
Abta chairman John McEwan said: "Christmas is traditionally the busiest time of year for the travel industry and I am delighted to see that so many of our customers are taking this opportunity to head off on holiday and to visit friends and family, both in the UK and overseas."
On the railways, Virgin Trains, which runs services on the London to Scotland West Coast line, said its pre-Christmas sales were 11% up on last year, with tomorrow expected to be its busiest day for travel.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments