Concerns over cancelled flights and long queues at airports have sparked a surge in staycation bookings.
Firms have reported a spike in reservations in the last fortnight from travellers keen to swerve any potential airport chaos.
Holiday bosses are now urging people to snap up breaks in local hotspots before prices rise.
Sykes Holiday Cottages has seen a record spike in bookings in the last two weeks – up 22% on the same period last year.
Letting firm Finest Retreats had an 88% leap in last-minute half-term bookings compared to 2021.
And camping company Feather Down Farms said bookings for this month are up 75% from 2019.
The most searched for British holiday destination is Blackpool. Currently, flights are being cancelled every day – sometimes hours before take-off – because of staff shortages.
Many airports have launched huge recruitment drives to fill hundreds of vacancies.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has rejected calls from aviation industry bosses to relieve the pressure by allowing “cheaper” overseas workers in to the UK.
He said: “The answer can’t always be to reach for the lever marked ‘more immigration’.”
