Nearly 0.5m to use Gatwick Airport this weekend

Gatwick Airport is preparing for a busy few days over the bank holiday weekend, with almost half a million people expected to catch flights to and from the base.

Friday is expected to be the busiest day of all, with some 126,000 passengers jetting away to take advantage of the last long weekend of the summer.

Malaga, Faro, Palma de Mallorca and Dalaman are the most popular hotspots among travellers setting off from London Gatwick this weekend, while Orlando is the leading long-haul destination.

According to recent research carried out by the airport, travellers waste an average of 40 hours of holiday time every year because they find it difficult to switch off.

"Holidays are all too precious. That's why it's crucial we make the most of our down-time while we can. So we need to make sure we enjoy our bank holiday, relax, unwind and switch off," said Mike Luddy, commercial director at London Gatwick.

Southampton Airport has also revealed that it is expecting a busy bank holiday weekend, with over 23,000 people set to use the south coast gateway.

• British Airways staff offer to work during strike
• Paris festival to celebrate jazz
• BAA signs contract for construction of Heathrow Terminal 2
• Travellers promised value for money in Malaysia
• Bmi to launch London Heathrow to Berlin flights this month
• Whale sharks arrive in Western Australia
• Sonar festival to return to Barcelona
• Machu Picchu to reopen following floods
• Dubai tourist board promotes annual events
• Flybe to boost capacity during British Airways strike