Sharp drop in Christmas getaways

Despite the economic downturn, thousands will fly abroad for Christmas

Holidaymakers have cut back on flying to the sun for Christmas, according to figures from airport operator BAA.

Scottish airports identified Friday as the busiest day since the summer, with 53,000 passengers expected to travel.

But BAA - which operates Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports - said it expected numbers to be down by about 5% compared with a year ago.

About 250,000 holidaymakers will pass through Scotland's main airports in the run up to 25 December.

Aberdeen is forecast to handle 43,000 passengers from 19 to 24 December with Glasgow expecting 97,000 travellers, and Edinburgh 113,000.

The majority of people will be travelling to London - for onward flights elsewhere.

Favourite destinations for Scots looking for some sun include Tenerife, Alicante and Dubai.

But the figures reveal that while many people still want to travel, fewer will actually do so.

'Save money'

Figures showed Glasgow was set to experience the biggest year-on-year drop in holidaymakers, at 5.9%, while Aberdeen is expecting a 5.5% reduction.

There is also due to be a 3.3% fall in travellers flying from Edinburgh.

But that could be good news for the ski resorts here - which are hoping for a bumper winter season.

Meanwhile, BAA Scotland has reminded festive travellers to pack gifts and souvenirs carefully before flying, and to adhere to the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage.

A spokesman said: "If anyone is planning to take any gifts or souvenirs on their flight, we'd recommend they pack them in their hold luggage.

"This helps reduce waiting times at security, and could save money.

"We don't want passengers to spend their hard earned cash on gifts and souvenirs, only to then abandon them at airport security because they breach government limits."

Earlier this year BAA Scotland revealed that 700,000 liquids containers had been rejected over a 12-month period because they exceeded the 100ml limit, costing travellers up to £3.5m.