SOUTHAMPTON Airport is gearing up for an extra busy festive period after witnessing soaring numbers of passengers this winter.

The airport is expecting 65,000 people to flood through its doors over the festive fortnight as revellers jet off to exotic destinations.

Passengers are expected to peak this weekend as families rush off following the end of term and skiers, sun seekers and those visiting friends and relatives take advantage of the festive getaway.

The mass exodus follows the transport hub welcoming 140,000 passengers through its doors in November and December - an 11.7 per cent rise on last year.

There was growth in all areas with a 13 per cent hike in domestic passengers, nine per cent international passengers.

There was also a 13 per cent spike in people travelling between the city and the Channel Islands.

Domestic routes such as Aberdeen, Leeds, Manchester and Belfast attracted more passengers than last year.

Dublin, Amsterdam, Nantes and Bergerac topped the list of growing international destinations.

It also featured people jetting off for pre-Christmas get-togethers.

Jan Halliday, director of marketing and communications, said: “Christmas is a wonderful time at Southampton Airport, full of emotional reunions and excitement.

“Next year is already looking positive with the announcement of two new destinations - Corsica and Milan - and confirmed summer sun flights to Malaga, Alicante, Palma and Faro.

“This is, of course, in addition to the new easy and affordable transatlantic connections with Flybe and Aer Lingus, to Boston, New York, San Francisco, Orlando, Chicago and Toronto, via Dublin.”