London Gatwick was the worst airport for UK flight delays final yr, evaluation has discovered.
Departures from the airport, which is the second busiest within the UK, have been a median of virtually 27 minutes delayed in 2023, in accordance with a Press Affiliation examine of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) information.
Gatwick was badly affected by air visitors management workers shortages throughout Europe final yr, and repeatedly suffered the identical drawback in its personal management tower.
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The airport has stated in an announcement it’s “working carefully with our airline companions to enhance on-time efficiency”.
Luton had the second poorest punctuality file final yr, with a median delay of virtually 23 minutes.
The airport has stated the typical delay figures are “not useful” with out context and insists the overwhelming majority of its flights left on time – claiming that almost all delays have been on account of components out of its management.
In third place was Manchester, with a median delay of almost 22 minutes.
Belfast Metropolis had the most effective efficiency, with a typical delay of 12-and-a-half minutes.
Liverpool John Lennon was second finest with a median delay of 13 minutes and 24 seconds, whereas East Midlands was subsequent with a median wait of quarter-hour and 18 seconds.
The common delay for flights throughout all airports was virtually 20 minutes and 42 seconds – down from 23 minutes and 12 seconds in 2022, when the aviation sector struggled to deal with a surge in demand for holidays following the tip of coronavirus journey restrictions.
Departures from Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, have been sometimes delayed by 20 minutes final yr.
The evaluation took under consideration all scheduled and chartered departures from the 22 business UK airports with at the least 1,000 outbound flights final yr. Cancellations weren’t included.
Gatwick stated in an announcement: “As probably the most environment friendly single runway airport on this planet, we goal to ship a seamless passenger expertise.
“The vast majority of cancellations are attributable to poor climate, airspace constraints throughout Europe and inefficient third social gathering floor operations.
“We’re working carefully with our airline companions to enhance on-time efficiency.
“As well as, we’ve revealed a six-year capital funding programme setting out vital enhancements to develop and improve infrastructure and services to construct the resilience of the airport.”
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Gatwick imposed a brief cap on flights in September 2023 in an try to cut back the variety of short-notice cancellations and delays on account of workers shortages in its ATC tower.
A Luton Airport spokesperson stated: “With out context, these figures are usually not useful to passengers. In 2023, the overwhelming majority of flights from London Luton Airport departed on time and, out of fifty,402 departing business flights, simply 163 (0.3%) have been delayed on account of components inside our direct management, slightly than exterior components resembling climate, air visitors restrictions and the late arrival of an plane.”
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A Manchester Airport spokesperson stated: “This evaluation ignores necessary context. Punctuality might be affected by a variety of components, most of that are exterior of an airport’s management. The 2 most vital components contributing to delays within the final yr have been industrial motion affecting air visitors management in Europe and the climate.
“Final month 79.8% of flights from Manchester Airport took off on time, comfortably above the nationwide common of 67%.
“As an trade we’re working collectively to attain the very best on-time departure charges, whereas defending flight schedules and avoiding the necessity for cancellations.”
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What are your rights when flights are delayed?
When flights are considerably delayed or cancelled, airways are required below client legal guidelines to offer passengers with help resembling refreshments, a way of communication and in a single day lodging if required.
If the reason for disruption is below an airline’s management, passengers are additionally due compensation of as much as £520 relying on the size of the delay and the space of the flight.
However air visitors management (ATC) points are typically thought-about to be an “extraordinary circumstance”, which means affected passengers are usually not entitled to payouts.
