More Brits flocking abroad

The number of Britons travelling to overseas destinations is on the rise, according to new official figures.

Research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 66.4 million trips abroad were made in 2005, three times the figure for 1981.

Popular travel destinations for those journeying by air were found to include Spain, the Canary Islands, the USA and Ireland.

Air travel has become increasingly used in recent times, with 81 per cent of all overseas trips being made by plane in 2005, compared with 60 per cent in 1981.

"The increase in the number of people travelling by plane over the last two decades is both a continuation and an acceleration of a long-term trend," said the ONS in its report.

Earlier this week, airport operator BAA announced that 3.7 per cent more passengers passed through its hubs in March, with significant increases seen in traffic to India and North America.

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