Airports prepare for UK exodus

British airports are getting set to experience one of the busiest weekends of the year, experts have revealed.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), about two million people are set to leave the country this weekend, with 460,000 flying out from Heathrow alone.

This is because most schools have broken up for the summer this week, which means many families are now free to jet overseas.

ABTA said that traditional European destinations are proving to be especially popular, despite less than favourable exchange rates with the eurozone.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the group, observed: "Spain is still the top destination this year."

The organisation added that rising living costs in the UK have not put people off heading overseas this summer, as bookings have been strong and are actually slightly up on last year.

This comes after ABTA's Sean Tipton said holidays are now widely seen as a necessity and not a luxury.