Media Centre

Airports still top destination for Christmas travellers

23 Dec 2008

Despite the credit crunch, thousands of Christmas travellers are still heading abroad this month to celebrate the festive season. According to figures from coach operator National Express, Gatwick and Heathrow airports are still amongst the top five destinations for customers this Christmas.

Whether travellers are heading home or on holiday, the findings, based on National Express’ advance bookings, suggest people are not letting the credit crunch impact on their travel plans and are seeking sunnier or snowier climes, despite the ecomonic downturn. Overall Heathrow placed second in the top destination list while Stansted came fourth. London remains Britain’s most popular destination by coach.

Heather McDonald at National Express says: “Travelling to the airport is still very popular at Christmas time with passengers jetting off to reunite with family and friends or escaping the winter blues. Key UK cities are also proving popular for people staying in Britain for Christmas, with London routes attracting the most passengers. “

Over one million customers will travel home by National Express coach this Christmas and the company has offered advice for people travelling during this peak period:

Heather added: “If you’re travelling this Christmas we would recommend booking early to secure coach tickets. We still have low fares available for Christmas and New Year travel and will be running services on Boxing Day. It’s also important to get to the coach station early to allow time for tickets to be checked and baggage to be loaded.

If customers have any queries about Christmas travel please contact us on 08717 818181 or visit nationalexpress.com”

Top Ten Christmas destinations for travel (20-28th December 2008 based on advance bookings):
1) London
2) Heathrow Airport
3) Birmingham
4) Stansted Airport
5) Bristol
6) Leeds
7) Manchester
8) Gatwick Airport
9) Milton Keynes Coachway
10) Glasgow

2007 Top Ten Christmas destinations (December 2007 based on coach passenger numbers):
1) London
2) Heathrow Airport
3) Stansted Airport
4) Birmingham
5) Bristol
6) Manchester
7) Leeds
8) Gatwick Airport
9) Nottingham
10) Liverpool

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact Carmel Dorricott, Hannah Pries or Ruth Green at Smarts on 0121 456 3199, or email carmel.dorricott@smarts.co.uk.