A record number of passengers will be flying to their Millennium celebrations with British Airways.

Nearly half a million seats have already been booked on the airline`s jets over the Millennium period - an increase of 150 per cent on the same period last year - with the majority of passengers travelling to their destinations in plenty of time to celebrate the turn of the century.

At the moment the most popular places to see in the New Year are New York, Los Angeles, Johannesburg and Barbados.

With less than nine months to go until the Millennium, the strength of bookings reflects public confidence in British Airways` preparation for the Year 2000.

Since 1995 the airline has employed more than 150 experts all over the world to ensure that British Airways is ready for the millennium. The carrier has set aside some £100 million to ensure the bug doesn`t bite at the turn of the century.

Bob Ayling, Chief Executive said: “We are confident that we are making the best possible preparations for the Year 2000 and the staggering 150 per cent increase in bookings over the millennium period shows that our passengers share this confidence. British Airways will fly over the Millennium and beyond where there is consumer demand and, as ever, where it is safe.”

In addition, British Airways chairs a £15 million study being undertaken by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world co-ordination body for aviation , to assess the readiness of global airports and air traffic control systems.

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