Millions join pre-Easter rush abroad

Published on Friday 8 April 2011 18:47

AS most of Scotland basked in sunshine yesterday, airports reported a bumper weekend with millions of people flying off on pre-Easter getaways.

The late Easter and the Royal wedding has created what the travel industry are calling a "holidaymakers' heaven" - with employees only needing to take three working days off to secure an 11-day break.

But many Scottish families chose to jet off early for a pre-Easter sunshine break.

Edinburgh Airport reported a busy weekend both this weekend and last and is said to be expecting record-breaking figures for getaways in March.

Glasgow and Aberdeen were said to have been busier than usual last weekend as families headed abroad.

The UK's biggest airport, Heathrow, said this weekend was expected to be the busiest of the Easter period, with British Airways saying its top short-haul destinations were Rome, Venice and Barcelona. A spokesman said Florida and New York had also been particularly popular.

Gatwick Airport yesterday reported a rise of 4 cent in the number of people jetting abroad over Easter.

For those staying at home this weekend, temperatures are expected to reach 20C (68F).