Officials at Gatwick Airport have estimated that one million people will pass through the doors of the airport between December 22 and January 2.
It is a statistic that threatens to cause some fairly significant delays, with 110,000 passengers expected on December 30 alone. According to an official statement, however, travellers can do a number of things to ensure their airport experience is as pleasant as possible.
Adhering to security regulations is particularly important at this time of year and can help to prevent unnecessary queuing. Passengers are reminded therefore, that they can take just one item of hand baggage which must be no larger than 56cm x 25cm x 45cm. Liquid items, meanwhile, must not contain more than 100ml and must be carried in a re-sealable clear plastic bag. This should also be removed from hand baggage and handed over to security.
And because many people will be boarding planes to enjoy Christmas Day abroad this year, Gatwick officials have warned that presents should not be wrapped up, whether kept in hand baggage or stored in checked-in luggage.
Party poppers and crackers also pose a problem at this time of year and those intending to fly in the next few days have been warned that these are not to be taken on to the plane.
It is perhaps inevitable, however, that passengers will this year have to spend a little longer than usual checking in and passing through security checks. To alleviate some of these strains, BAA Gatwick has requested that non-fliers do not enter the airport at all.
The busiest single-runway airport in the world, Gatwick is used by approximately 90 airlines which collectively serve in excess of 200 destinations.
