Gatwick retains worst UK airport title for flight delays as air traffic control issues persist

Gatwick Airport has once again earned the unwelcome title of the UK’s worst airport for flight delays, with passengers waiting an average of more than 23 minutes for departures in 2024, according to newly released data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The figures, analysed by the BBC, confirm that the West Sussex airport struggled the most with punctuality last year. Though a slight improvement on its 2023 average delay of nearly 27 minutes, Gatwick still outpaced all other UK airports for late departures.

Airport officials pointed the finger at persistent air traffic control (ATC) issues, both within its own control tower and across mainland Europe. “Air traffic control restrictions in other parts of Europe have continued to impact the airport,” a Gatwick spokesperson said. “Together with our airlines, we’ve put in place a robust plan to improve on-time performance further in 2025.”

Gatwick, the UK’s second busiest airport, operates on a single runway, with a flight taking off or landing roughly every 55 seconds. It is often praised for the efficiency of its layout, but staffing and control issues in 2024 severely hampered its operations.

The delays were not unique to Gatwick. Birmingham Airport was the second-worst performer, recording average delays of over 21 minutes per flight. Manchester Airport followed in third place with delays averaging 20 minutes.

In stark contrast, Belfast City Airport, also known as George Best Belfast City Airport, continued to shine for punctuality. It recorded the best on-time performance in the UK for the second consecutive year, with average delays of fewer than 12 minutes per departure.

The travel disruption was mainly driven by systemic issues in air traffic control. A widespread shortage of trained ATC personnel in continental Europe caused bottlenecks in flight clearance and scheduling. Compounding the issue, Gatwick faced its own staffing shortfall within its control tower, adding to the cumulative delays.

Under UK and EU regulations, passengers may be eligible for compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours. However, since air traffic control disruptions are classified as “extraordinary circumstances,” airlines are not legally obliged to compensate affected passengers in these cases.

Despite this, Gatwick has been lobbying for expansion to alleviate congestion and improve service. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signalled in February that she would be open to supporting the airport’s plan to bring its emergency runway into regular use, provided the project undergoes necessary adjustments. The airport has until Thursday to formally respond to the government’s position.

As demand for air travel continues to grow post-pandemic, many airports across the UK are struggling to meet service expectations. Manchester Airport responded to its own poor performance by saying it is “committed to doing everything in our power to support all our carriers to achieve the best possible on-time departure rates.”

Passengers travelling from UK airports are advised to monitor their flights closely and allow extra time when travelling through busy hubs such as Gatwick. Analysts warn that without major investment in staffing and infrastructure, delay problems could worsen across the country during peak travel seasons.

For now, Gatwick’s distinction as the most delayed airport in the UK remains intact—a worrying trend for an airport aspiring to increase its capacity and compete with larger rivals.