RECORD numbers of passengers are expected to fly out of Southampton Airport this weekend.

About 20,000 passengers are due to head from the airport from today until Monday, in a bid to make a quick getaway for their Easter Bank Holiday.

Airport staff are bracing themselves for the increase, as more head abroad or choose to fly when visiting friends and family across the UK.

David Cumming, BAA Southampton's managing director said: "The Easter weekend is the start of the summer 2005 programme for the airport."

"This summer, we will be opening our new £5m departure lounge with significant improvements in passenger comfort and facilities."

The expected increase comes as Southampton Airport announce four new destinations this Easter.

Flights to Aberdeen, Brest in northern France, Limoges in central France and a new service to the Isle of Man are the latest additions to the keep the airport on track to surpass its recent record of 1.5 million customers in a year, to 40 destinations in 13 countries.

While Southampton Airport are preparing themselves for possible passenger congestion, motorists are being urged to prepare their journeys in advance of the heavy bank holiday traffic.

A spokesman for the AA said: "Last year, we estimated that 18 million motorists would be travelling over the Easter weekend but this could be even higher this year due to the good weather forecast for much of the country."

Archie Robertson, Highways Agency chief executive, said safety this Easter should be every driver's top priority.

"I urge road users to drive safely as accidents can cause injury and significant disruption when so many people want to travel by road.

"Safety must be everyone's top priority.

"We should all drive carefully and take regular breaks on long journeys."

He added: "Where accidents occur, our contractors and traffic officers will be working with the police and emergency services to clear up and reopen lanes as quickly as possible."