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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Adam Aspinall & Oliver Pridmore

Worst airline for UK flight delays named in new figures amid huge gaps in waiting times

New figures have revealed the worst airlines in terms of flight delays from UK airports last year. easyJet and Ryanair were among the leading performers for punctuality, whilst companies including Tui and British Airways ranked lower down the list.

But analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data in 2021 has shown that Wizz Air was the worst airline overall for flight delays. The Hungarian carrier's departures were an average of 14 minutes and 24 seconds behind schedule last year, the Mirror reports.

It operates short-haul flights from 10 UK airports such as Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gatwick and Luton. Tui Airways recorded the second worst punctuality, with an average delay of 13m 18s, with BA in third.

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Research earlier this summer found that Birmingham was the UK's worst airport for flight delays last year. Airline punctuality in 2021 was better than before the pandemic due to the reduction in flights.

But it has deteriorated this year, with staff shortages causing major problems and tens of thousands of cancellations. Paul Charles, of travel consultancy the PC Agency, said: "Airlines, airports and air traffic control teams need to work together far more closely."

Wizz Air was asked for comment. Below is the full list of average delays for each airline.

List of average airline delays

1. Wizz Air: 14 minutes and 24 seconds

2. Tui Airways: 13 minutes and 18 seconds

3. British Airways: 12 minutes and 42 seconds

4. Virgin Atlantic: 12 minutes

5. Loganair: 11 minutes and 30 seconds

6. Air France: 11 minutes and 12 seconds

7. Lufthansa: 10 minutes

8. KLM: Eight minutes and 42 seconds

9. Eastern Airways: Seven minutes and 48 seconds

10. Jet2.com: Seven minutes and 42 seconds

11. American Airlines: Seven minutes

12. Ryanair: Six minutes and six seconds

13. EasyJet: Four minutes and 36 seconds

14. Aer Lingus: Three minutes and 12 seconds

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