{"id":833,"date":"2025-04-22T06:08:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T06:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=833"},"modified":"2025-04-22T11:59:56","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T11:59:56","slug":"the-worst-british-airport-for-flight-delays-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/22\/the-worst-british-airport-for-flight-delays-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"The worst British airport for flight delays revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"Planes\t<\/div>
Gatwick trails behind other UK airports when it comes to punctuality (Picture: Gareth Fuller\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gatwick<\/a> has ranked as the UK\u2019s worst airport for flight delays for the second year in a row, after yet another year of disruption. <\/p>\n

Flights from the West Sussex airport recorded average delays of more than 23 minutes in 2024, according to new analysis of Civil Aviation Authority<\/a> (CAA) data.<\/p>\n

Although a minor improvement from the nearly 27-minute average wait in 2023, Gatwick continues to lag behind other UK airports when it comes to punctuality.<\/p>\n

The airport, which is the UK\u2019s second busiest<\/a>, was badly affected by Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff shortages across Europe<\/a> in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thousands of passengers travelling through Gatwick were affected with flights delayed, cancelled and diverted. And it wasn\u2019t the only UK airport affected by the shortages.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Birmingham had the second poorest punctuality record last year, with an average of more than 21 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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In third place was Manchester Airport, with average delays of around 20 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Belfast City Airport recorded the best punctuality for the second year in a row, with an average flight delay of less than 12 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Gatwick said the airport had a \u2018robust plan\u2019 to improve punctuality in 2025, this includes a new method to separate arriving aircraft, and trialling the co-ordination of connecting jet bridges to planes remotely. <\/p>\n

They added that Gatwick remains \u2018the world\u2019s most efficient single-runway airport, with flights departing or arriving every 55 seconds\u2019.<\/p>\n

The analysis, by PA news agency, took into account scheduled and chartered departures from 22 commercial UK airports with at least 1,000 outbound flights last year. Flight cancellations were not considered.<\/p>\n

The average delay for these flights was 18 minutes and 24 seconds, which was down from 20 minutes and 42 seconds in 2023.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Passengers\t<\/div>
Average delay times at Gatwick last year exceeded 23 minutes (Picture: AFP\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Selina Chadha, director, consumer and markets group at the Civil Aviation Authority said: \u2018The industry works hard to ensure flights are punctual, but sometimes delays occur.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018What is important to us is what airlines and airports do to minimise disruption, as well as comply with their legal obligations to look after passengers if something happens to their flight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018We also advise consumers to know what assistance they are entitled to if they face a lengthy delay.\u2019<\/p>\n

If your flight is delayed, your airline has a duty of care to look after you, the CAA website states. This includes providing food and drink, access to communication and accommodation if the delay is long enough to require an overnight stay.<\/p>\n

Many airlines will provide vouchers for passengers to provide food and drink and may book a hotel and arrange transportation for you, if required.<\/p>\n

However, sometimes airlines are unable to arrange care and assistance for all passengers during major disruptions. If this happens, the CAA advises passengers to keep a receipt and do not spend more than what is \u2018reasonable.\u2019<\/p>\n

Depending on the length of delay, distance of the flight and reason for disruption, passengers may be able to claim compensation of up to \u00a3520.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, flight delays are often caused by circumstances beyond the airport\u2019s control, such as severe weather, technical issues or other \u2018extraordinary circumstances<\/a>\u2019. Disruptions caused by these circumstances are unlikely to award compensation.<\/p>\n

ATC issues are considered to be an \u2018extraordinary circumstance\u2019, meaning passengers would not be entitled to compensation.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tMy flight is delayed. Am I entitled to compensation?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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The CAA states: \u2018Under UK law, airlines must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is significantly delayed.\u2019<\/p>\n

These timeframes are split into three categories:\u00a0<\/p>\n