UK Airports See Significant Flight Delays, Gatwick Worst Affected

Recent analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data indicates that Gatwick remains the UK’s worst airport for flight delays, with average departures delayed by over 23 minutes in 2024, largely due to air traffic control staff shortages. Birmingham and Manchester also ranked poorly, with average delays exceeding 20 minutes, while Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands International, and Belfast City airports performed best with average delays around 12 minutes or less. Bristol and Exeter airports saw average departure delays of 17 and 19 minutes respectively, placing them mid-table among the 22 major UK airports assessed. Although the average delay across all UK airports dropped to 18 minutes and 24 seconds, passengers have expressed frustration, with travel industry leaders emphasizing the emotional and financial toll of disruptions and calling for improved communication and reliability from airports. Passengers impacted by delays may be entitled to assistance or compensation, depending on the cause and severity of the delay. The summer travel season is expected to be especially busy, intensifying calls for airports to uphold higher standards of service.