The airports in the United Kingdom with the most significant flight delays have been disclosed. Discover which airport was ranked the lowest.

Gatwick Airport has maintained its status as the United Kingdom's most delayed airport for flights, as it continues to experience disruptions related to air traffic control (ATC), according to recent data. Departures from this West Sussex airport, which primarily serves London, experienced an average delay of more than 23 minutes in 2024, based on data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This is an improvement from the previous year's average delay of over 27 minutes but remains the longest delay among all UK airports.

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport stated, "Air traffic control restrictions in other parts of Europe have continued to affect the airport. Together with our airlines, we have implemented a robust plan to enhance on-time performance further in 2025."

Gatwick, the UK's second busiest airport, was significantly impacted by ATC staff shortages across continental Europe in 2024, as well as within its own control tower. Stansted Airport recorded the second-worst punctuality record last year, with an average delay exceeding 20 minutes, followed by Manchester Airport, which experienced a similar average delay.

Belfast City Airport achieved the best punctuality performance in the UK for the second consecutive year, with an average delay per flight of under 12 minutes.

Depending on the flight's distance and the length of the delay, passengers departing from UK airports that are running behind schedule may be eligible for compensation. However, ATC issues are classified as an "extraordinary circumstance," meaning affected passengers are not entitled to compensation.

The Gatwick spokesperson also noted that the airport is "the world's most efficient single-runway airport, with flights departing or arriving every 55 seconds."

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed in February her willingness to support Gatwick's expansion plan to incorporate its emergency runway into regular use, provided the project undergoes necessary adjustments. The airport has until Thursday to respond.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport stated their commitment to "doing everything in our power to support all our carriers in achieving the best possible on-time departure rates."

The ten UK airports with the highest average