The UK airports with the worst delay times have been revealed in a new study.
Research by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) shows that the average delay for flights across all airports in the UK was around 20 minutes and 42 seconds.
The analysis takes into account all scheduled and chartered departures from the 22 commercial UK airports with at least 1,000 outbound flights last year. Cancellations were not included in the data.
When flights are significantly delayed, airlines are required under consumer laws to provide passengers with assistance, which can include refreshments, a means of communication and accommodation if required.
If the cause of disruption is under an airline’s control, passengers are also due compensation of up to £520 depending on the length of the delay and the distance of the flight.
Speaking about the data, Tim Johnson, the CAA director rold The Telegraph: “Where people do find themselves facing disruption, we want them to be well-informed about the duty of care that they are entitled to.”
Let’s see where Birmingham ranks among the worst airports for delays. The airports are ordered from the longest average delay per departing flight to the shortest
![Gatwick Airport is the worst in the UK for flight delays with average delays of 26 minutes and 54 seconds.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjBkODA3Yzg4LWZkYTUtNDkxNy05ZWNhLTgzZWU3MzJmMmI3Yjo3NmUzMDNiYi1kYTM3LTQxZTktYmE2ZS1kMDcxYTFlMzgxNmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
1. Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is the worst in the UK for flight delays with average delays of 26 minutes and 54 seconds. Photo: staff
![Luton has average delay times of 22 minutes and 54 seconds](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlhZTU0MjVmLTU1ZWQtNGMzYi05MDczLWU3MjJmNDVhYWI0MzozMGQ3OTQyMS0wYzRiLTQ2MDQtYTE0Ny0wY2Q4MWYzYzFiMDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Luton Airport
Luton has average delay times of 22 minutes and 54 seconds
![Manchester is ranked as the 3rd worst for delays (21 minutes and 54 seconds)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/13/6/47/GettyImages-1227799738.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Manchester Airport
Manchester is ranked as the 3rd worst for delays (21 minutes and 54 seconds)
![Edinburgh Airport was ranked the fourth worst in the UK for flight delays last year, with delay times of 21 minutes and 48 seconds](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlkNmNmOTY3LTIzZTktNDdmYi1iNTc2LTZlYzA4MDM1M2E4OTpjNDAzNDJmMy1iOWM2LTRhZWYtYjUzZi0xYjFjOGMwYjM1NTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport was ranked the fourth worst in the UK for flight delays last year, with delay times of 21 minutes and 48 seconds Photo: Lisa Ferguson