Gatwick Airport has once again ranked as the worst in the UK for flight delays, according to new data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Departures from the West Sussex airport ran an average of 23.6 minutes late in 2024, down slightly from over 27 minutes the previous year. Despite this modest improvement, Gatwick still had the longest average delays among all UK airports.

A spokesperson for Gatwick attributed the delays to ongoing air traffic control (ATC) issues across Europe and staff shortages at its own control tower. “Together with our airlines, we've put in place a robust plan to improve on-time performance further in 2025,” they said.

As the UK’s second busiest airport, Gatwick has been hit particularly hard by ATC staffing problems, mirroring similar disruptions on the continent.

Stansted and Manchester airports followed closely behind, with average delays of 20.3 minutes, while Belfast City Airport was the most punctual for the second year running, averaging fewer than 12 minutes of delay per flight.

Passengers affected by delays may be eligible for compensation, though disruptions caused by ATC problems are typically classified as “extraordinary circumstances,” which exempt airlines from compensation obligations.

Despite the setbacks, Gatwick maintains its status as the world’s most efficient single-runway airport, handling takeoffs or landings every 55 seconds.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said in February that she would consider supporting Gatwick’s expansion plans—which include routine use of its emergency runway—if the proposal is revised. The airport has until Thursday to respond.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said they are “committed to doing everything in our power to support all our carriers to achieve the best possible on-time departure rates.”

Average Delay Times at the 10 Worst UK Airports in 2024:

Gatwick – 23.6 minutes;

Stansted – 20.3 minutes;

Manchester – 20.3 minutes;

Southend – 20 minutes;

Birmingham – 19.9 minutes;

Bournemouth – 18.9 minutes;

Bristol – 18.8 minutes;

Cardiff – 18.6 minutes;

Luton – 18.6 minutes;

Heathrow – 18 minutes.

Photo by Mike McBey, Wikimedia commons.