East Midlands Airport reports rise in festive getaways
East Midlands Airport is expected to handle a 2.5% increase in holidaymakers heading for a festive getaway this year compared with 2010.
The airport said it estimated 80,000 passengers would use the Castle Donington airport between 22 December and 2 January.
Managers have predicted the busiest day will be 2 January 2012 with 10,000 passengers expected to travel.
Top destinations for travellers include Tenerife, Lanzarote and Alicante.
Brad Miller, managing director of East Midlands Airport, said: "Our predicted figures this Christmas are encouraging with over 2,000 additional passengers travelling during the 12-day period, a 2.5% increase on last year.
"In addition to the expected increase in the number of people travelling over Christmas and new year, we are forecasting a 4% increase in passenger figures for December, welcoming over 210,000 passengers throughout the month."
On Christmas Day, flights will operate to and from Malaga, Lanzarote and Tenerife, in addition to passengers returning from Barbados and Gran Canaria in the early hours of Christmas morning.
Passengers travelling with Christmas gifts and decorations have been advised to check security restrictions before travelling.