Birmingham Airport has once again been ranked as the worst in the UK for flight delays, with an average of 30 minutes late departures in 2022. The findings were
based on analysis of data from the Civil Aviation Authority. This was more than twice the delay time of the previous year, when the airport was also ranked last for punctuality. Doncaster Sheffield, which closed in November, and Manchester airports were jointly ranked second worst, with an average delay of 29 minutes. Luton, Gatwick, and Bristol airports followed closely behind.
On the other hand, East Midlands Airport was ranked the best, with an average delay of just 13 minutes, making it the most punctual airport in the UK. The average delay across all airports was 23 minutes. The analysis took into account all scheduled and chartered departures, excluding cancelled flights.
Passengers are entitled to assistance, including refreshments, a means of communication, and accommodation if necessary, under consumer laws when flights are significantly delayed. If the cause of disruption is under the airline's control, passengers are also eligible for compensation of up to £520, depending on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight.
May and June 2022 were the worst months for flight reliability, as the aviation sector failed to recruit and train enough staff to cope with the surge in demand for holidays. Birmingham Airport saw a total of 10.3 million passengers travel through it last year, making it the seventh busiest in the UK. In addition to flight delays, departing passengers were also forced to spend several hours in long queues for check-in and security.
The airport spokesman acknowledged the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry and the struggle to recover from it. The first year since 2020, which was not impacted by the pandemic, saw the airport run smoothly with customers set to equal or exceed pre-pandemic numbers. Customers using Birmingham Airport this summer should expect changes to walking routes, as the airport builds its £40 million new security hall, set to be ready for June 2024.
It is essential to note that flight delays are often beyond an airline's control. Factors such as adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion, or technical issues with aircraft can lead to delays. Nevertheless, the aviation industry must work hard to minimize such delays, as they can cause significant inconvenience and financial losses for passengers and airlines alike.
In conclusion, Birmingham Airport's poor punctuality record in 2022 is a significant concern for both passengers and the airport. However, the airport management's efforts to improve facilities and services, such as building a new security hall, are steps in the right direction. The aviation industry must also collaborate to address underlying issues leading to flight delays and work towards improving punctuality across all airports. Photo by Velela, Wikimedia commons.