Airport operators are expecting a Christmas rush

Airport operator BAA said more than 500,000 passengers will fly in and out of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports during the festive season.

The Middle East is also emerging as a favourite, with Dubai entering the Christmas top 10 for the first time.

Friday is expected to be the busiest day, with 23,000 passengers travelling.

A further 106,000 passengers will travel between Christmas Day and Hogmanay.

More and more people are travelling even further afield this Christmas Graham Latta Glasgow Airport manager

Several UK destinations also make the top 10, including London, Belfast, Birmingham and Bristol.

Amsterdam and Dublin are among the most popular European city breaks this Christmas.

Glasgow Airport manager Graham Latta said: "It seems passengers have every corner of the globe covered this year, with demand for long-haul travel especially strong.

"Passengers are much more adventurous today than they were just a few years ago, so while the traditional sunspots like Tenerife are popular as ever, more and more people are travelling even further afield this Christmas."

BAA said an estimated 30,000 pints of beer and lager and 2,000 bottles of wine would be served throughout December as passengers unwind before flights.