Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Travel agents report a notable increase in bookings for the February half-term holiday, with numbers rising by 9% compared to last year. This surge is attributed in part to persistent gloomy and rainy weather, which, combined with the current political climate, has created what the Advantage Travel Partnerships describes as a “powerful psychological need for escape.”
Manchester Airport is preparing for its busiest February half-term period ever, expecting nearly 50,000 passengers to fly out on Friday alone. Similarly, Jet2, the airline and tour operator, has also seen a growth in reservations, particularly for trips to southern Europe where travelers seek respite from the UK’s poor weather. Despite rising costs, bookings continue to climb, a trend supported by the timing of Valentine’s Day during the half-term break. For example, around 1,000 travelers are scheduled to fly from Manchester to Paris on Valentine’s Day.
Popular destinations this half-term from Manchester include Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Dubai, and Tenerife. Meanwhile, Geneva is experiencing an uptick linked to winter ski season demand, and Milan is benefiting from the Winter Olympics. The travel association Abta notes that about one in seven families with children plan to take holidays abroad during this period, choosing a variety of options such as city breaks, cruises, skiing, and winter sun vacations. The Port of Dover expects increased road traffic as well, anticipating 4,000 cars passing through on a peak Saturday morning, which is slightly higher than last year. To handle the surge, enhanced traffic management measures have been introduced. At the same time, domestic tourism is also set for a boost, with rural communities in Scotland expecting economic benefits from increased visitation during the half-term week.
Travelers headed to Europe should be aware of possible delays due to the rollout of the European Entry Exit System (EES), the EU’s new digital border control. Reports from the airport industry indicate that staffing shortages and technical issues have led to waiting times of up to two hours upon arrival in some locations. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta, advises travelers to “allow extra time for going through passport control checks,” underscoring the importance of understanding what to expect with the new system. The EES implementation is ongoing at various points, including Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover, though it currently affects only coach passengers and lorry drivers.
The continued rise in passenger numbers is intensifying calls for expanded airport capacity in the UK. Heathrow recently announced its busiest January on record, handling 6.5 million passengers, which is 2% higher than the previous year. Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow’s chief executive, emphasized the urgency of expansion, stating, “We remain Europe’s largest airport, but latest figures show we may lose that position in 2026 and we cannot keep driving growth for the UK economy without more capacity.” However, expansion plans at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton airports have faced significant opposition, particularly due to concerns over noise, community disruption, and climate impact. London’s Mayor opposes Heathrow’s expansion, and legal challenges have been raised against Gatwick’s plans on environmental grounds.
Climate experts highlight the environmental implications of increased air travel. Dr. Ella Gilbert, a climate scientist, pointed out that “Air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transport.” She explained that the carbon emissions from transportation contribute to rising atmospheric temperatures, which in turn cause extreme weather events such as floods, storms, heatwaves, and droughts. Dr. Gilbert further noted, “Every degree of heating means the atmosphere can hold 7% more water. We’re already seeing wetter winters in the UK as the climate has shifted, and this is a pattern we’ll see more of in future.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.