Millions jet off for summer holidays
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| The school holidays are under way and Abta estimated that around two million people will have headed abroad at the weekend - kick-starting a busy period for those working in travel jobs.
The organisation predicted on Friday that the weekend just gone would prove to have been one of the busiest of the year for airports, with families jetting off to popular destinations such as Spain and the Canary and Balearic Islands. Abta reckoned Greece and Turkey would also prove popular as UK holidaymakers search for the best deal. And with the pound performing well against the euro, Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said people are flocking to the eurozone. "This weekend marks the start of the summer holiday getaway and is expected to be one of the busiest of the year at UK airports," he said on Friday. "Eurozone destinations are proving popular with holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the pound's strengthening against the euro, coupled with the fact that many bars and restaurants have lowered their prices." Brits can get around 11.5% more value for money this summer than the same time last year, with the pound at its strongest against the euro for nearly four years. Abta estimated 482,000 passengers would fly out of Heathrow at the weekend, with 275,000 more from Gatwick, 132,500 from Stansted and 70,000 from Luton. Copyright Press Association 2012 |
