Facing Unprecedented Congestion at UK Airports and Roads Before Christmas
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) expects the number of passengers traveling through UK airports during this Christmas Eve to reach a record level, unprecedented since records began, with more than 335,000 people set to travel next Wednesday.
According to forecasts, this figure represents a 5% increase compared to Christmas Eve 2024, despite expectations of minimal service disruptions, as air traffic is widely believed to be relatively smooth.
Reports from RAC, a company specializing in automotive services, indicate that UK roads will witness one of the busiest Christmases since records began, although motoring organizations claim that the season’s congestion peaks have passed.
The RAC stated that the worst time to travel on Wednesday will be from 1 PM to 7 PM, when millions take to the road to complete their journeys in time for Christmas Day celebrations on Thursday, which are expected to see significant delays on all major routes.
Manchester Airport announced that around 75,000 passengers are expected to pass through on Christmas Eve, with 208 departures from the UK, though this number will be halved on Christmas Day. The airport noted that the most popular destinations for Christmas flights are Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin.
In a related context, Heathrow Airport is set to face the busiest December in its history, including 152,000 passengers traveling on Christmas Eve. EasyJet indicated that 558 flights will land on Christmas Eve, part of its “busiest winter holiday season ever.” Meanwhile, Stansted Airport mentioned that Christmas Eve will be relatively quiet for them.
It was noted that the single busiest day for air travel during the Christmas holiday period was Friday, December 19, following a record period of congestion at UK airports.
The RAC advised that road bottlenecks will occur on the top and western sides of the M25 orbital starting from mid-morning, followed by the M5 northbound from Gloucestershire toward the West Midlands in the afternoon, recommending drivers to exercise caution during these times.
It noted that while millions will use the railways, the final timings of late trains may force many to use the roads, making them more crowded. Several railway lines will be restricted or closed during the Christmas period for ongoing maintenance. National Rail explained that no trains run on Christmas Day, and only a few locomotives will operate the following day. National Express coaches indicated they will operate to 96 destinations on Christmas Day.
Alice Simpson, a spokesperson for the RAC, stated that 2025 “looks set to be our busiest holiday period since our records began” in 2013, noting that this Christmas will be the busiest, as workers utilize their annual leave for last-minute departures.
Meanwhile, the AA, which provides traffic updates across the UK, indicated that December 19 was the busiest day of the season. The AA emphasized that the M27 will be closed in both directions between Junction 9 (Whiteley/Park Gate) and Junction 11 (Fareham East/Gosport) from 8 PM until 4 AM on January 4 due to essential works at Junction 10, confirming this closure affects road journeys between Southampton and Portsmouth.
Drivers were advised to check their tires, expect delays, and ensure oil and coolant levels are correct, noting that cold weather will lead to an increase in emergency call-outs and that approximately 4.2 million trips will be made on the roads.
You can see how the weather affects Christmas travel plans on the roads.
You can see this regarding the impact of other vehicles on transport, such as oil tankers.
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