Gatwick, Heathrow, Stanstead and London City delays - London’s airports in 2022

Delays at UK airports peaked in May and June 2022.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Both of London’s main airports are in the top 10 for delays - but they are not the worst.

National World reports that Birmingham Airport was the worst for delays in 2022, with an average of 30 minutes, while Gatwick came in fifth (27 mins) and Heathrow was ninth (22 mins).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Birmingham was in the top spot for a second year in a row, according to the analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by the PA news agency. The half-hour average was more than twice than the figure for delays in 2021.

Stanstead came joint 15th (19mins) and London City was joint 19th (17mins).

PA’s analysis took into account all scheduled and chartered departures but cancelled flights were not included.

Airlines are required to provide passengers with assistance when there are significant delays. This can include refreshments, a means of communication and accommodation. In cases where the cause of the delay is in the airline’s control. If the cause of disruption is under an airline’s control, passengers are due compensation of up to £520.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In May and June reliability hit its lowest point, with airlines failing to recruit and train enough staff to cope with the summer holidays.

The CAA

CAA consumer head Anna Bowles said: “Our data tells us that too many passengers faced disappointing levels of delays across UK airports last year. It is important consumers experience a high-quality service from both airlines and airports this year. We expect airlines to proactively provide passengers with information about their rights when flights are disrupted.”

Birmingham Airport

A Birmingham airport spokesman said: “This year, the first since 2020 not impacted by Covid, our airport is running smoothly with customers set to equal or exceed pre-pandemic numbers. Customers using Birmingham airport this summer can expect changes to walking routes as we build our £40 million new security hall, set to be ready for June 2024.”