Traffic warning as Easter getaway starts

Gotthard Tunnel: file picture

The big Easter getaway is expected to kick off today and there are warnings of delays at airports and on the roads.

But for Geneva airport, the number of passengers is not expected to hit pre-pandemic levels. The airport says it’s expecting around 50,000 passengers a day over the holiday period – that’s 85% of pre-pandemic numbers.

The airport says it’s pleased with the increase of passengers – but doesn’t expect to reach 2019 levels until 2025. The busiest destinations this weekend will be London, Porto and Lisbon. 

For those heading to London, Heathrow airport is expecting major queues at immigration due to the large number of travellers. Staff are being brought in from Scotland and Northern Ireland to help the process, say UK border officials. 

On the roads, the TCS is warning jams will be starting today. It’s expecting large queues heading south through the Gotthard Tunnel from around 3pm today and continuing for most of the day tomorrow. 

The TCS says there will be similar tailbacks on Monday, but then heading north. It's advising holidaymakers to travel outside peak time if possible. 

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