Brits jet off over bank holiday

30/08/2009

Some 1.9 million Brits will head abroad this bank holiday weekend (August 29th to 31st), it has been reported.

According to figures from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), tomorrow (August 29th) will be the busiest day, with 420,000 passengers using Heathrow and 245,000 using Gatwick Airport.

Top destinations include Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the Netherlands and the US.

ABTA chairman John McEwan said: "Many families see the bank holiday as their last ditch attempt to get a holiday abroad to get some guaranteed sunshine. This is more true this year than ever.

"Obviously people have been holding onto their money until they are sure they have enough to go away with and as a result we have seen a surge in late bookings."

Hundreds of thousands of Brits will also use the UK's regional airports, with popular start points including Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle.

ABTA recently launched a campaign urging Brits to write to their MP expressing concern over rising charges for long haul flights.

The association notes that holidays to the Caribbean, for example, could become "unaffordable" if prices continue to increase.