Nothing dampens the excitement of travelling quite like a tedious airport experience.
Whether it’s long queues at the check in desk, chaos at the security gates or your flight being delayed, standing around and tapping your feet is the last thing you want to be doing before a holiday — let alone when you’re returning home.
New research has revealed the UK airports with the longest delays, and they aren’t surprising.
The study, by the Press Association, which analysed data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) found that Gatwick was the worst airport for delays in 2023.
Departures from the airport were an average of almost 27 minutes behind schedule.
Last year, Gatwick had to limit the number of flights coming in and out of the airport due to severe staffing shortages in the air traffic department. At the time, nearly a third of air traffic control staff are unavailable due to a variety of medical reasons, including coronavirus.
Although Gatwick didn’t experience heavy delays throughout the whole of 2023, by the end of the year, the airport saw average delays of 24 minutes.
Next was Luton, with an average delay of almost 23 minutes. Luton has previously ranked highly for having one of the worst terminals in the UK due to poor queuing times.
A spokesperson for Luton Airport said that more than 99% of delayed flights last year were delayed due to external factors, such as weather, air traffic restrictions and the late arrival of an aircraft.
The third worst airport for delays was Manchester, with an average of 22 minutes. Manchester often faces hefty queues for security and has made headlines late last year after customers were left stranded when a runway closed due to snow.
The airports with the shortest delay times were Belfast City, with 12-and-a-half minutes, Liverpool John Lennon, with an average of 13 minutes, and East Midlands, with an average wait of 15 minutes and 18 seconds.
Heathrow – the UK’s busiest airport – saw delays of around 20 minutes.
The average delay for flights across all airports was almost 20 minutes and 42 seconds — an improvement from 2022, which saw an average delay time of 23 minutes and 12 seconds.
Experts warn of ‘bottlenecks’ at UK airports this summer
Delays are expected across the UK this year due to the fact that plans to scrap the 100ml liquid rules have been pushed back
British airports were set to scrap the 100ml limit by June 1 this year, but the Government has extended the deadline due to issues with implementing new scanners.
Travellers have been warned to expect delays and bottlenecks in airport security.
Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, advised travellers to stick to the old rules for the foreseeable.
‘Our best advice is to prepare for your travels with the existing rules in mind.’
He added: ‘That way, you’ll be ready to comply whatever the scenario, avoiding any unnecessary delays through security and any difficulties when returning from your destination.
‘You can also check with your airport in advance, and we’d also recommend checking with your return airport too.’
Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for Gatwick airport tells Metro: ‘As the most efficient single runway airport in the world, we aim to deliver a seamless passenger experience.
‘The majority of cancellations are caused by poor weather, airspace constraints across Europe and inefficient third party ground operations.
‘We are working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance.
‘In addition, we have published a six-year capital investment programme setting out significant improvements to develop and enhance infrastructure and facilities to build the resilience of the airport.’
The UK airports with the shortest and longest delays
Airports with the longest delays
- London Gatwick
- Luton
- Manchester
Airports with the shortest delays
- Belfast City
- Liverpool John Lennon
- East Midlands
A spokesperson for Luton Airport tells Metro: ‘In 2023, the vast majority of flights from London Luton Airport departed on time and, out of 50,402 departing commercial flights, just 163 (0.3%) were delayed due to factors within our direct control, rather than external factors such as weather, air traffic restrictions and the late arrival of an aircraft.’
And a Manchester Airport spokesperson said: ‘Punctuality can be affected by a number of factors, most of which are outside of an airport’s control. The two most significant factors contributing to delays in the last year have been industrial action affecting air traffic control in Europe and the weather.
‘Last month 79.8% of flights from Manchester Airport took off on time, comfortably above the national average of 67%.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE : New Airbnb rules mean more cash for disappointed guests
MORE : You can see some of the most beautiful flower fields on Earth right here in the UK
MORE : ‘Phenomenal’ city with £36 flights is home to Europe’s tastiest beer
Get need-to-know travel news, inspiration and advice from Metro every week.
Sign up here…
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
