London Gatwick was the UK’s worst airport for flight delays last year, analysis found.

Departing flights at the UK’s second-busiest airport were on average almost 27 minutes later than planned in 2023, according to Press Association research into Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.

Gatwick was severely affected by air traffic controller shortages across Europe last year, with its own control tower experiencing the same problem on several occasions.

The airport said in a statement that it was “working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance”.

Luton had the second-worst punctuality record last year, with average delays of nearly 23 minutes.

The airport said the average delay data was “unhelpful” without context and insisted the vast majority of flights departed on time, claiming most delays were due to factors outside its control.

In third place is Manchester, with average delays of nearly 22 minutes.

Belfast City fared best, with typical delays of 12 and a half minutes.

Liverpool John Lennon was second with an average wait time of 13 minutes and 24 seconds, while East Midlands was second with an average wait time of 15 minutes and 18 seconds.

The average flight delay time across all airports was nearly 20 minutes and 42 seconds, down from 23 minutes and 12 seconds in 2022, when the airline industry struggled to cope with a surge in holiday demand after the holidays. coronavirus Travel restrictions.

Last year, flights departing from Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport, were regularly delayed by 20 minutes.

The analysis considered all scheduled and charter flights from 22 commercial airports in the UK that had at least 1,000 outbound flights last year. Cancellations are not included.

Gatwick Airport said in a statement: “As the world’s most efficient single-runway airport, our aim is to provide a seamless passenger experience.

“The majority of flight cancellations are due to bad weather, European airspace restrictions and inefficiencies in third-party ground operations.

“We are working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance.

“In addition, we have released a six-year capital investment plan setting out significant improvements to develop and enhance infrastructure and facilities to increase the airport’s resilience.”

Gatwick Airport introduced a temporary cap on flights in September 2023 in an attempt to reduce the number of temporary cancellations and delays caused by ATC tower staff shortages.

A spokesman for Luton Airport said: “Without context, these figures are of no help to passengers. In 2023, the vast majority of flights from London Luton Airport departed on time, with 50,402 commercial flights departing. Only 163 (0.3%) delays were due to factors within our direct control, rather than external factors such as weather, air traffic restrictions and aircraft delays.”

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A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: “This analysis ignores important context. On-time performance can be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond the airport’s control. The two most significant factors causing flight delays last year were those affecting flights. Industrial action for punctuality.” Air traffic control and weather in Europe.

“Last month, 79.8% of flights from Manchester Airport departed on time, well above the national average of 67%.

“As an industry, we are working together to achieve the best possible on-time departures, while protecting flight schedules and avoiding cancellations.”

What are your rights if your flight is delayed?

When a flight is severely delayed or cancelled, airlines are required under consumer law to provide passengers with assistance such as refreshments, means of communication and overnight accommodation if required.

If the cause of the flight disruption is within the airline’s control, passengers will also be entitled to compensation of up to £520 depending on the delay and distance of the flight.

But air traffic control (ATC) issues are generally considered “exceptional circumstances”, meaning affected passengers are not entitled to compensation.