Gatwick, Luton and Bristol amongst the worst UK airports for delays

A TUI 757 gets airborne from Bristol Airport (Image: UK Aviation Media)
A TUI 757 gets airborne from Bristol Airport (Image: UK Aviation Media)

London Gatwick, London Luton and Bristol Airport have been listed as some of the worst airports in the UK for delays according to CAA data examined by flying experience provider, Flydays.co.uk

The study, which measured data during August, September and October, found that over 30% of flights at Gatwick and Luton were delayed by over 30 mins while over 25% of flights at Manchester, Bristol Stansted and Edinburgh were also more than 30 minutes late.

East Midlands, Belfast International and Heathrow proved to be the most punctual with less than 20% of their flights delayed by more than 30 minutes with East Midlands topping the chart with just 14.7% of flights hitting the criteria.

Dan Jones, Operating Manager at FlyDays.co.uk commented: “Having any trip delayed due to circumstances out of your control is never a great way to start a trip. 

“The amount of pressure on the aviation and travel industry right now, following three years of Covid restrictions mean it was always going to take time to get back up and running. The planned strike actions will just further compound the struggles airports face to get holiday goers out on time.” 

Easyjet Airbus at Manchester Airport (Max Thrust Digital)
Easyjet Airbus at Manchester Airport (Max Thrust Digital)

UK Airport Delays Aug to October

Airport> 30-Minute Delay
Luton34.6%
Gatwick30.9%
Manchester27.9%
Bristol27.4%
Edinburgh26.2%
Stansted25.3%
Birmingham24.3%
Glasgow22.5%
Heathrow19.1%
Belfast International17.8%
East Midlands14.7%
Based on data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
An American Airlines Boeing 777 (Image: Max Thrust Digital)
An American Airlines Boeing 777 taking off from London Heathrow (Image: Max Thrust Digital)

UK Airport Cancellations Aug to October

The list changes somewhat with cancellations though with the two busiest airports Heathrow and Gatwick unsurprisingly coming out on top followed by Manchester and Edinburgh.

Bristol moves into the bottom four on that criteria with East Midlands, Birmingham and Belfast International.

AirportCancellations Aug to Oct
Gatwick1,071
Heathrow880
Manchester403
Edinburgh276
Glasgow258
Stansted241
Luton210
Bristol117
Belfast International67
East Midlands12
Birmingham0
Based on data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
About Nick Harding 2050 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.