Travel industry experts world wide have urgent advice for people looking to travel by plane during the 2008 holiday season: buy your tickets now and bring plenty of patience.

UK newspaper The Telegraph reports that airlines across the world will cut 60 million seats for the holiday. The U.S. will be hit the hardest, losing 20 million, and Europe will lose 5.5 million.

Expect air fares to significantly rise as 275 airports cross the globe will reduce routes, meaning 3,500 airplanes will remain unnecessary. The Official Airline Guide (OAG) reports that the reduction, an average of one in every 14 seats, will come as a consequence of high fuel costs.

An estimated 59.7 million fewer tickets will be available this year when compared to October-December of last year. If you have to travel, book now for best rates.

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