GATWICK is expected to experience its busiest Easter on record this year with 2.8 million passengers forecast to travel through the airport during the school holiday period.

That would represent a 9.2 per cent increase on Easter 2016.

The four-day Easter Bank Holiday weekend is expected to be particularly busy as half a million travellers – 13.6 per cent more than last year – use the time off work and school for a spring getaway.

Orlando is Gatwick’s most popular long-haul choice over the Easter weekend while Los Angeles is Gatwick’s fastest growing long-haul destination.

Toronto has entered the top ten long-haul list for the first time in two years with the number of passengers flying there rising by 80 per cent compared with last year’s Easter weekend.

Families travelling through Gatwick on Easter Sunday can look forward to the return of the airport’s annual Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

This year’s event is expected to be the biggest yet with 4,000 Easter eggs and 1,500 cupcakes being give away as well as entertainment being provided by a host of popular Alice In Wonderland characters.

Terminal operations manager Wayne Tomlinson said: “With Los Angeles and Toronto climbing into our top ten long-haul destinations list for Easter, it’s clear that holidaymakers are taking advantage of the growing number of affordable transatlantic travel options available from Gatwick.

“It’s exciting to see that passenger numbers have grown by a considerable 13.6 per cent and, although the airport will be busier, our commitment to delivering an outstanding passenger experience remains the same.

“The Mad Hatters Tea Party will ensure that every family flying from Gatwick on Easter Sunday enjoys a fun and unique start to their holiday, and our free children’s play areas and dedicated family security lanes will help to provide a smooth and hassle-free airport experience during the busy Easter period.”

Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport and the most efficient single-runway airport in the world.

It serves more than 228 destinations in 74 countries for 43 million passengers a year on short and long-haul point-to-point services. It generates around 24,000 on-airport jobs.