Gatwick Remains the UK's Worst Airport for Flight Delays for the Second Year Running

According to newly released data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Gatwick Airport continues to hold the dubious title of the UK's worst airport for flight delays, recording an average delay of more than 23 minutes in 2024. This marks a slight improvement from 2023, when the average delay was nearly 27 minutes. Gatwick, the UK's second busiest airport located in West Sussex, faced significant disruptions due to ongoing air traffic control (ATC) staff shortages, both in Europe and within its own control tower. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in reduced staffing during lockdowns, continues to reverberate through operations as recruiting and training new ATC personnel can take up to three years. Julia Lo Bue-Said, the chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, voiced that passengers deserve better than being 'stuck in terminals' for hours. In contrast, Belfast City Airport has taken the top spot for punctuality, with flights typically delayed by less than 12 minutes, indicating a significant variance in operational efficiency across UK airports. The average delay across all major UK airports now stands at 18 minutes and 24 seconds, a modest improvement from previous years. This weaves a narrative around the ongoing recovery of the aviation sector post-pandemic, as airlines and airports work harder to address delays while balancing the challenges posed by higher passenger numbers. Gatwick has articulated a 'robust plan' to tackle these delays moving forward, including innovative methods to better manage arriving flights and trialing remote coordination of jet bridges, which could streamline operations. However, whether these plans will actually translate to significant improvements remains to be seen amidst ongoing labour shortages. With the transport secretary indicating support for Gatwick's £2.2 billion expansion to enhance resilience, the airport community watches closely to see if these measures can lead to a more reliable flying experience that travelers rightfully expect. Meanwhile, it's essential for passengers to be informed of their rights during these delays, which can range from compensation to assistance with accommodations.