Simon BrowningTransport reporter
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Gloomy weather has helped drive up February half-term holiday bookings by 9% compared to last year, according to a group of travel agents.
The Advantage Travel Partnerships blamed the weeks of rain combined with the political environment for creating a “powerful psychological need for escape”.
Almost 50,000 passengers will fly out of Manchester Airport on Friday in what will be its busiest February half term on record, while the airline and tour operator Jet2 also reported a rise in bookings.
But travellers heading to Europe are being warned of potential security delays on their arrival as the rollout of the European Entry Exit System continues.
The rise in passenger numbers is adding to pressure on the government to forge ahead with airport expansion, despite arguments from critics that an increase in flying will contribute to the build up of carbon emissions.
The Met Office calculates that current levels of global warming, caused by greenhouse gases, have already made very wet winters significantly more likely to occur, as warmer air holds more moisture.
Several parts of the UK have seen their wettest January on record, and rain has continued into February.
Rise in travellers
Jet2 told the BBC it would take more people away this February half term than last year, as people were flying to southern Europe to escape the UK’s bad weather.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said higher prices had not prevented the rise in bookings.
Valentine’s Day falling at the start of the half-term weekend for most schools across the UK has also contributed to the rise in travellers. One thousand people will fly to Paris from Manchester on Valentine’s Day, a spokesperson for Manchester Airport said.
Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Dubai and Tenerife are the top departures during half-term week from Manchester Airport.
Geneva, which is popular every winter ski season, has seen a rise in travellers, the airport’s spokesperson said, while Milan is seeing a Winter Olympics boost.
Roughly one in seven families with children have told travel association Abta that they will take a foreign holiday during the half-term period, including city breaks, cruises, winter sun and skiing.
The Port of Dover expects a peak of 4,000 cars on Saturday morning, with around 50 more passing through per hour than last year. Its spokesperson told the BBC it has added enhanced traffic management to ensure smooth processing of travellers. Coach traffic is expected to be busy on Friday and Saturday.
The domestic tourism sector is also expecting to see its first economic spike for the year during the half-term break.
A Visit Scotland spokesperson said it would have a particular benefit for businesses in rural communities.
“[Visitors] help support jobs, sustain local economies, and shine a spotlight on how Scotland is a year‑round destination,” they said.
Tourism Northern Ireland’s Eimear Callaghan told the BBC that three school holidays – half-term in February, St Patrick’s Day in March and Easter at the start of April – were the focus when targeting families for short breaks.
Passport delay warning
UK passport holders travelling to Europe are being warned of potential delays caused by the continued rollout of the European Entry Exit System, the EU’s new digital border system.
Airport trade body ACI Europe has complained to the EU Commission that border control understaffing and technology issues are causing “massive delays and inconvenience” with waiting times of up to two hours for travellers arriving into some destinations.
Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, said: “It is important that travellers understand what may be different for their holiday this time around and allow extra time for going through passport control checks.”
EES is being gradually introduced for travellers using Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover, but so far only applies to coach passengers and lorry drivers.
Airport expansion
Strong growth in demand for travel is helping fuel renewed calls for expansion at several UK airports.
Earlier this week, Heathrow reported its busiest ever January with 6.5 million passengers, 2% higher than the same month last year.
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “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. That’s why Heathrow expansion is so critical.”
But recent government decisions to back expansion at Heathrow, as well as Gatwick and Luton Airports have all been met with opposition due to their community, climate and environmental impacts.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan opposes Heathrow expansion, and last month the High Court heard from campaigners challenging the expansion of Gatwick Airport due to its climate and noise impact.
“Air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transport,” climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert told the BBC.
She says carbon emissions, including from transport, are heating the atmosphere, contributing to “rapidly rising temperatures and fuelling extreme events like floods, storms, heatwaves and droughts”.
“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.”
