Gatwick revealed to be worst UK airport for departure delays in 2023 - full list

London Gatwick has been revealed as the worst airport in the UK for flight departure delays in 2023.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data shows that, on average, flights took off an average of almost 27 minutes behind schedule last year.

Gatwick was impacted by air traffic control staff shortages across Europe last year and the airport has said in a statement it is "working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance".

Luton had the second poorest record, with an average delay of almost 23 minutes. Heathrow came in eighth, with average delays of 20 minutes.

According to National World, the airport has said the average delay figures are "not helpful" without context and insists the vast majority of its flights left on time. It claims most delays were due to factors that were out of its control.

Gatwick said in a statement: "As the most efficient single runway airport in the world, we aim to deliver a seamless passenger experience.

“The majority of cancellations are caused by poor weather, airspace constraints across Europe and inefficient third party ground operations.

"We are working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance. In addition, we have published a six-year capital investment programme setting out significant improvements to develop and enhance infrastructure and facilities to build the resilience of the airport."

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Here are the UK airports with the worst average flight delays. Cancellations are not included.

• 1: Gatwick (26 minutes and 54 seconds)
• 2: Luton (22 minutes and 54 seconds)
• 3: Manchester (21 minutes and 54 seconds)
• 4: Edinburgh (21 minutes and 48 seconds)
• 5: Birmingham (21 minutes and 30 seconds)
• 6: Bristol (20 minutes and 24 seconds)
• Joint 6th: Bournemouth (20 minutes and 24 seconds)
• 8: Heathrow (20 minutes)
• 9: Newcastle (19 minutes and 48 seconds)
• 10: Belfast International (19 minutes and 18 seconds)
• 11: Stansted (19 minutes and six seconds)
• 12: Aberdeen (17 minutes and 42 seconds)
• 13: Southampton (17 minutes and six seconds)
• 14: Leeds Bradford (16 minutes and 54 seconds)
• Joint 14th: Cardiff Wales (16 minutes and 54 seconds)
• 16: Teesside International Airport (16 minutes and 48 seconds)
• 17: Glasgow (16 minutes and 36 seconds)
• 18: Exeter (15 minutes and 42 seconds)
• 19: London City (15 minutes and 36 seconds)
• 20: East Midlands International (15 minutes and 18 seconds)
• 21: Liverpool (John Lennon) (13 minutes and 24 seconds)
• 22: Belfast City (George Best) (12 minutes and 30 seconds)