Airport traffic warning as Easter getaway begins

HOLIDAYMAKERS from the Capital have been warned to expect traffic congestion around airports over the coming days as 51,000 residents escape the wintry weather over the Easter weekend.

Travel agents across Scotland have reported a “strong demand” for last-minute deals as the country shivers through one of the coldest Easters for decades. Edinburgh Airport revealed that it is expecting nearly 80,000 passengers to depart from the city between yesterday and Tuesday.

Gavin Hill-Smith, a spokesman for the AA, said that the spike in last-minute bookings meant that drivers could expect “localised congestion” on main routes to airports.

A survey carried out last week also suggested that 23 per cent of Scots were planning to drive over the Easter weekend, either taking a staycation or going on an outing.

This could add up to 1.6 million cars on roads north of the Border. However, the survey was conducted before the worst of the recent bad weather hit.