GATWICK is preparing for its busiest ever Easter Bank Holiday weekend with half a million passengers expected to pass through the airport.

Staff will be egg-stra busy when the airport welcomes up to 500,000 people between Friday and Monday – up 11% on last year.

Travellers have stayed loyal to the same top three destinations as the 2014 Bank Holiday weekend with Barcelona at number one, followed by Malaga and Dublin.

Nick Pope, operations manager at Gatwick, said: “It is fantastic to see such growth in passenger numbers as travellers take advantage of over 200 destinations here at Gatwick and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the airport this Easter weekend.

“As well as our fantastic range of bars and restaurants we’re also laying on some fun to enjoy with our Mad Hatters’ Tea Party, Wonka World and Easter bunny face paintings.

“Delivering an excellent passenger experience is one of our key priorities.”