AIRPORTS are preparing for their busiest time of year as the great Christmas homecoming gets underway.
There were emotional scenes at Belfast International Airport on Friday morning as families were reunited ahead of their festive celebrations.
Mackenzie Cook (19), who is from Cullybackey but now lives in Birmingham, was waiting to be greeted by his mother who hasn’t seen him since he started his applied theatre course at Birmingham City University in September.
“I think she’ll be excited to see me – it’s been a while.
“It’s been over three months since I was last at home, so she’ll probably not let go of me whenever I see her – or let me go back,” he said.
It was a similar sight when Sam Mercer (52) who lives in Co Down welcomed her daughter Daisy (21) back from Manchester where she is training to be a nurse.
“I am overjoyed I just absolutely lover her coming home,” said Sam.
“She’s my little baby – I can’t wait to spoil her and look after her.
“The Christmas lights were all set before I left the house, everything’s on for the grand arrival and then we’re just going to take it easy go for walks, eat lots of really nice food, do a bit of cooking together – she’s my daughter but she’s like my little best friend as well.”
Sisters Nuala (19) and Aoife McCaughey (24) from Co Down were also both returning home from university. Nuala is in her second year at Northumbria University while Aoife is completing a Masters in archaeology at Sheffield University.
“It was just really lucky that our flights arrived in at the same time,” said Aoife.
“It’s so nice to be home and have my sister here as well and I’m really looking forward to seeing our other lovely sister and my mum and dad.”
Both sisters are looking forward to taking some time to relax over the festive period.
“I can’t wait just to relax and spend time with friends and family, I haven’t been home since the start of September so I’m really excited to be back,” added Nuala.
Belfast International Airport is expecting more than half million air travellers to pass through their gates by the end of December.
“It’s definitely one of the busiest times of the year,” said the airport’s press officer Deborah Harris.
“But it’s lovely to see families coming home, families reconnecting and just getting ready in time for Christmas.”