THE CHRISTMAS period is an emotional time for many people.

Seeing the family come together, celebrating with friends, sharing gifts and reflecting on the year.

And Southampton Airport has managed to capture the precious moment someone reunites with their loved one during the festive period with a video released today (FRI 5).

It's reminiscent of the famous blockbuster, Love Actually, as Hugh Grant opens the film with a voiceover and viewers see people crying and embracing in Heathrow Airport.

Now Southampton's very own airport staff have created a video for the holidays with the help of city students and residents.

The video follows several passengers having emotional reunions at Christmas time in the airport.

It's all laced together by the sounds of 14-year-old Upper Shirley High School student, Abigail Caveney performing her song 'Happy Holidays' in the background.

A host of actors from Hampshire drama groups like Maskers Theatre Company, Hamble Players, Curdridge Drama Group all make appearances, as well as Harry the dog.

Students from Southampton Solent University group, Solent Creatives came together to produce the short film for the airport and director Richard Johansen said: “Working on the video has been a great opportunity, it's been a great journey and I've had the chance to work with some really nice people.”

Daily Echo:

Passengers arrive at Southampton Airport

Southampton-based Eric Petterson, who plays a business man, added: “I was born in Southampton and from a young age the airport was a very special place.

“I loved visiting on my bike and watching the planes arriving and leaving and later it was a place for wonderful holidays, with the level of excitement undiminished so I jumped at the chance to contribute.”

It's the third time the airport has produced a Christmas video and this year's production shows a businessman waiting for his wife, a mother waiting with her daughter for the father to return and a woman with her dog who rushes up to his owner when he gets off the plane.

Holly Harvey, from Southampton Airport said: “The video is a way to say Merry Christmas to our passengers and business partners.

“This year we wanted the story to focus on bringing people together as airports play such a key role in this and we were keen to include as much local talent as possible. We have been very impressed and very lucky to have them involved.”