Nottingham set for record breaking Xmas

Nottingham/East Midlands Airport is predicting that passenger traffic over the festive period will reach record levels this year.

According to the airport's booking figures, about 170,000 people will be travelling to and from East Midlands between December 19th and January 2nd, marking a 13 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger traffic.

The largest proportion of travellers are getting ready to enjoy a city break in Dublin or some winter sunshine in the Spanish resort of Alicante, but numerous other routes such as Malaga and Tenerife are also in high demand.

Managing director Penny Coates said that the festive period is always a popular time for going abroad as people make the most of time off work to escape the cold weather or visit friends and relatives abroad.

She added: "The winter flight programme is full of great winter sun destinations, city breaks and ski routes including new winter routes Goa and Innsbruck. This year we are expecting over 20,000 more passengers than Christmas 2006."

Co-operative Travel has estimated that more than 3.3 million Brits are planning to spend the festive season overseas this year.