Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Luton, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton, Glasgow, London City, Belfast International, Aberdeen, Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands: A New Report on Best and Worst UK Airports

Published on April 21, 2025

Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Stansted, Teesside, Exeter, Edinburgh, Bournemouth, Luton, Cardiff, Heathrow, Newcastle, Bristol, Southampton, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, London City, Belfast International, Aberdeen, Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, and Belfast City George Best were ranked in the 2024 UK airport delay report, which revealed Gatwick as the most delayed and Belfast City as the most punctual. These findings, tied to airports located across West Sussex, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Essex, County Durham, Devon, Scotland, Dorset, Bedfordshire, Wales, London, Tyne and Wear, Somerset, Hampshire, West Yorkshire, Greater London, Northern Ireland, Merseyside, and Leicestershire, reflect a broad national picture of flight punctuality and performance. Analysts observing international air travel trends noted that the sustained delays at major UK airports—especially Gatwick—had implications beyond the British Isles. As a significant hub, Gatwick’s operational setbacks reverberated across global air routes, particularly affecting travelers with connecting flights. These passengers, many of whom used the UK as a transit point, were increasingly subject to missed connections, last-minute changes, and prolonged layovers. The inconvenience extended to tourists, business travelers, and even cargo operations.

Industry experts highlighted a growing risk to the UK’s image as a dependable node in the international aviation network. European carriers and long-haul operators, already grappling with airspace congestion and labor shortages, faced further complications due to bottlenecks originating in or passing through UK airspace. As reliability falters, international passengers may be incentivized to choose alternate routes through hubs in mainland Europe, such as Amsterdam, Paris, or Frankfurt.

This shift could gradually reduce the flow of inbound travelers to the UK, potentially impacting tourism revenues, business travel, and the economic vitality of cities that depend on international connectivity. Tourists who plan their holidays months in advance might now reassess the risk-reward trade-off of flying through or into Britain.

The 2024 Rankings and What They Mean

In 2024, data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed a troubling pattern: Gatwick Airport, despite being the UK’s second busiest airport, ranked worst in terms of flight punctuality. With average delays reaching 23 minutes and 18 seconds per outbound flight, Gatwick surpassed all other UK airports in underperformance. Although this marked a slight improvement from 2023’s average delay of nearly 27 minutes, the change was insufficient to lift Gatwick from its position at the bottom of the list.

Birmingham Airport followed as the second-worst performer, showing average delays of 21 minutes and 18 seconds. Manchester Airport placed third, reporting an average delay of 20 minutes per flight. These rankings emphasized a troubling trend among some of the UK’s most trafficked airports.

By contrast, Belfast City (George Best) Airport once again demonstrated high operational efficiency, maintaining its position as the most punctual airport in the country for the second consecutive year. Average delays there were contained to just 11 minutes and 36 seconds.

Here’s a snapshot of the top and bottom performers:

Most Delayed Airports:

• Gatwick: 23 minutes 18 seconds
• Birmingham: 21 minutes 18 seconds
• Manchester: 20 minutes

Most Punctual Airports:

• Belfast City (George Best): 11 minutes 36 seconds
• East Midlands: 12 minutes 30 seconds
• Liverpool (John Lennon): 12 minutes 42 seconds

Causes Behind the Delays

While airport delays are often attributed to various externalities, Gatwick’s struggles were uniquely compounded. In 2024, ongoing disruptions in air traffic control (ATC) systems emerged as a key factor. Staff shortages in continental Europe’s ATC operations created a domino effect that overwhelmed Gatwick’s own limited capabilities. The airport’s internal control tower was similarly affected, making it harder to recover or reroute effectively during peak times.

Though some delays were outside the direct control of the airport authorities—such as weather and regional air traffic restrictions—much of the criticism centered around the airport’s response and resilience. The issue was not merely the frequency of disruptions but the apparent lack of infrastructure and staffing depth to respond efficiently.

Passenger Sentiment and Travel Experience

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, voiced concerns that resonated with countless holidaymakers. She emphasized that many individuals and families spend all year saving for their trips, only to experience a form of emotional letdown when met with long, unexplained delays at the airport. She argued that such experiences diminished travelers’ sense of value and respect for their investment of both time and money.

Passengers, according to her, rightfully expect timely updates, clear communication, and appropriate support services during disruptions. The frustration deepens when they’re left without food, lodging, or basic information, especially during long-haul travel or family vacations.

There was a growing sentiment that airports needed to adopt a more service-oriented mindset. The expectation that delays are simply part of the travel experience was being challenged by consumer rights advocates and travel professionals alike.

Industry Response and Proposed Solutions

In response to the mounting criticism, Gatwick’s management acknowledged the persistent ATC-related disruptions that continued to impact its operations. The airport spokesperson noted that, in collaboration with airline partners, a new plan had been initiated to improve on-time performance into 2025.

Two innovations were specifically mentioned:

• A method to separate arriving aircraft more efficiently
• A trial involving the remote coordination of connecting jet bridges

These approaches were intended to streamline operations and reduce ground time, allowing for quicker aircraft turnaround and more predictable scheduling.

The spokesperson was also keen to remind the public that Gatwick remains the world’s most efficient single-runway airport, with flights departing or arriving every 55 seconds. This fact, while impressive, underscored the need for scalable resilience in light of increasing traffic and tighter scheduling.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, speaking earlier in the year, signaled a willingness to support Gatwick’s proposed expansion. The plan involved bringing the emergency runway into regular use, which was partially justified as a means of boosting overall reliability. However, she stipulated that certain modifications to the plan would be required before final approval, and the airport was given until April 24 to respond.

Airlines and Regulatory Perspectives

While airlines often find themselves at the receiving end of consumer complaints, aviation authorities pointed out the distinction between airline-controlled delays and those caused by factors such as ATC restrictions. The CAA’s director Selina Chadha stressed that although the industry strives to ensure punctuality, occasional delays were inevitable. Her primary concern was the level of care and support extended to passengers when disruptions did occur.

Chadha reminded consumers to be aware of their entitlements, which can include:

• Food and beverages
• Accommodation if overnight delay is required
• Means of communication (such as phone calls or Wi-Fi access)

In some cases, passengers might be eligible for up to £520 in compensation, depending on the nature and cause of the delay. However, Chadha explained that ATC issues are typically categorized as “extraordinary circumstances,” making compensation unlikely.

A spokesperson from AirportsUK, the industry’s trade body, added that the aviation sector was still navigating its post-pandemic recovery. Despite lingering global challenges, the spokesperson found it encouraging that delay statistics were improving year over year.

The British Travel Industry at a Crossroads

For the UK’s travel and tourism sector, the continued issues at Gatwick presented a potential threat to recovery and growth. Summer 2025 was projected to be exceptionally busy, and ensuring consumer confidence was deemed essential by travel networks and tour operators. The broader economic implications of unreliable airport performance could be severe, especially for ancillary industries such as hospitality, retail, and business travel.

Independent travel agents were already reporting hesitancy among clients booking through known hotspots for delays. With competition intensifying from more punctual European and Middle Eastern hubs, UK airports were at risk of losing both domestic and international traffic. This competitive disadvantage might prompt travelers to reroute through cities with stronger operational records, potentially reducing spending within the UK.

A Call for Modernization and Investment

A consistent theme among industry voices was the urgent need for modernization. As airports like Gatwick strain under increased traffic and limited infrastructure, long-term investment was viewed as the only sustainable solution. This included everything from automated gate processes and improved ATC coordination to facility expansions and improved staffing levels.

Failure to address these issues might push the UK further down in global rankings of airport performance, making recovery more difficult in future years. Stakeholders expressed concern that without meaningful reform, Britain risked falling behind as other countries embraced digital transformation in aviation management.

In Summary

The persistence of flight delays at Gatwick in 2024, despite minor improvements, has spotlighted serious operational challenges and stirred concern across the UK travel ecosystem. While some delays stemmed from uncontrollable ATC issues across Europe, the lack of adequate infrastructure and poor consumer experience at Gatwick and other major airports prompted wider discussion about modernization, accountability, and competitiveness.

Key Takeaways:

• Gatwick topped the list of worst UK airports for delays in 2024.
• External ATC disruptions and internal staffing shortages were key contributors.
• Consumer frustration is rising due to lack of timely communication and support.
• Global traveler confidence in UK airports may be at risk.
• Improvements are underway, but much depends on execution and investment.

The British travel industry now faces a crucial juncture—either double down on infrastructure and customer experience, or risk becoming less relevant in the increasingly competitive global travel market.