Festive flight: 1.5 million on the move for Christmas

MORE than one and a half million people were boarding trains, planes and automobiles as the annual exodus for Christmas began.

More than 1.1 million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports over the holidays, many of them Irish emigrants returning home and immigrants leaving our shores to re-unite with family.

There were scenes of jubilation at all the airports yesterday as people gathered around the arrival gates, while others smiled as they marched through departure lounges homeward-bound or else off to sunny climes for a break.

More than 900,000 passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport between now and January 4, while Shannon and Cork airports will have to deal with about 100,000 passengers each over the festive period.

Tens of thousands of extra people will be travelling by road over the next few days and gardaí and AA Roadwatch have warned drivers to take extra care, especially in frosty conditions.

Driving conditions are expected to be good but that does mean there's little likelihood of a snowman-building boom.

It's due to be dry and bright tomorrow, although Santa Claus will have to contend with a sharp to severe frost as he begins his race around the world tonight.