Flight passengers travelling from the UK seemingly have a right to airport angst after it was revealed their journeys are delayed more than ever. Those booked onto flights departing the country, to a variety of different destinations, are almost three quarters more likely to see their travel pushed back – or cancelled completely – compared to figures dating from 2015. They were most affected last year, with 33 per cent of flights cancelled or delayed more than three hours. Some of the most well known UK airlines were the culprits, meaning hundreds of thousands of travellers have been affected.
The disruption was placed down to the impact of drones, cabin crew strikes as well as Brexit chaos and tightly-packed flight schedules.
Norwegian Air stood out as having the biggest upsurge of delays and cancellations, with their passengers suffering 754 per cent more delays and cancellations in 2018 than in 2015.
Making up thereat of the top five were Vueling Airlines in second, Air France, British Midland Regional Limited and TUI.
Meanwhile, tipping the other end of the scale, Virgin Atlantic recorded a minus three per cent decrease in delays between 2015 and 2018.
Coby Benson, Flight Delay Compensation Solicitor at Bott and Co said: “Some of Europe’s major airlines are simply not doing all that they can to minimise delays. The proof’s in the data.
“While some events are outside of the airlines’ control, there are many instances of flights being disrupted by factors within their control.
“Managing disgruntled staff, that lead cabin crew strikes and cramped schedule times that result in passengers being faced with chaos at airports, are just a few examples.”
He added: “EU Regulation 261/2004 was introduced in 2004 to protect passengers and act as a deterrent to prevent significant delays and cancellations occurring in the first place.
“The data does offer some good news for passengers. Some airlines have managed to reduce the amount of delays and cancellations.
“This demonstrates that having a regulation in place is working to some extent at dissuading airlines from delays.”
Meanwhile, further research by the air travel intelligence company, OAG (Official Aviation Guide, has supported the findings.
No medium or large UK airports appeared in the top 20 lists for high punctuality ratings, based on flights arriving and departing.
Bott and Co advised those holidaymakers with flight delays over three hours may be eligible for up to 600 Euros in compensation.
Recently, Express.co.uk reported on a technique supposedly employed by airline firms to swerve delays.
It was termed ‘schedule padding’ and involves airlines adding on time to an estimated arrival time, in order to soak up any delays and appear technically on time.
