Thousands of people are expected to pass through Northern Ireland’s airports, as people travel home (or abroad) to visit loved ones ahead of Christmas Day
George Best Belfast City Airport is expecting about 10,000 passengers a day to pass through its building.
Its Operations Director, Mark Beattie, said that its flights “are operating to capacity”.
“There will be northwards of 120 flights each day at the airport, so quite a lot,” he added.
“On Christmas Day the airport is closed, the only day it is fully closed.
“From 04:30 on Boxing Day, all the staff will be back here for first departure at 06:40.”
Mr Beattie said George Best Belfast City Airport provided musical entertainment for passengers on Monday, including a choir and a pianist.
He said that passengers should not bring wrapped presents in their hand baggage.
“We have a complimentary service near security where passengers can get their presents wrapped,” he added.
Mr Beattie also said that he hoped the Christmas period would go smoothly and there would not be travel disruption due to inclement weather.
“We have our normal plans in place, we get a detailed forecast from the Met Office and over the next five days it is reasonably favourable, hopefully everything is fine.”
City of Derry Airport said about 5,000 passengers would have passed through its terminal between Wednesday, 18 December, and Christmas Eve.
It said it would close on Christmas Day and reopen on Boxing Day.
Elsewhere, Translink says holiday timetables are in place over the Christmas period and it is urging passengers “to plan their journeys in advance”.
There is no service for Ulsterbus/Goldline, the Metro/Glider or NI Railways on Christmas Day.
