Easter travel frenzy sends Brits flocking to Mediterranean hotspots
Last-minute holiday demand has risen an astonishing 76 per cent as easyJet gets ready for a record Easter rush. Cold snaps across the UK have encouraged sun-seekers to book spontaneous escapes, and sent Easter holiday reservations rocketing. Those in the travel industry say attractive last-minute deals combined with persistent poor weather in the UK have been key factors behind the rush.
EasyJet braces for the busiest Easter weekend ever
Passengers will board nearly 30,000 easyJet flights during the two-week spring break, with 5.2 million seats available across Europe. More than 5,000 flights are departing in the opening Easter travel weekend alone, carrying families eager for warmer climes and welcome time away.
Operators expect up to 16,000 departures from UK airports throughout the period, serving destinations that already have their spring sunshine. EasyJet Holidays says they will be welcoming over a quarter more customers than during last year's Easter break.
Gatwick expansion adds fresh travel options
London Gatwick welcomes several new airlines this Easter, raising the competition and choice for departing passengers. Jet2 has just made its debut at the airport with an inaugural flight to Tenerife, quickly followed by a service to Alicante.
Other carriers, including Air France, Condor, Eurowings and Animawings, arrive now, while AirAsia X, Air Arabia and Beijing Capital prepare for imminent new operations. New routes from Norwegian and Royal Air Maroc are further expanding options to more than 220 destinations from the same airport.
Popular sunshine spots draw record interest
Brits are favouring familiar Mediterranean favourites this Easter. Spain and the Canary Islands register strong booking growth, with Tenerife and Lanzarote proving especially popular among sun-seekers. Alicante and Malaga on the Spanish mainland also feature high on wish lists.
Greece is especially popular, recording a 200 per cent week-on-week jump in last-minute reservations. Turkey experiences a notable 160 per cent rise in Easter holiday interest. Some higher-altitude ski resorts remain open into April for those chasing late-season snow.
Kevin Doyle, easyJet's UK country manager, explained customer preference for the airline's network and value. "Every Easter more customers choose easyJet for unrivalled choice, brilliant package holidays and great value," he said. "This year operators fly more than 30,000 flights across Europe to over 140 destinations. Easter offers families, couples and friends a perfect chance to enjoy early-spring sunshine or explore Europe's great cities."
