The airport says New York, Greece, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands have become its most popular holiday destinations.

In its first year of operation more than 80,000 passengers have used the Bristol to New York airline route.

It is currently the only transatlantic service from the South West of England.

A spokesman for the airport said the figures for the four days of the weekend were based on loading figures and bookings.

"The figures seem to be growing every year," he said.

Bristol Airport is expecting to carry 5.5m passengers this year, up from 5m on 2005.