Manchester Airport named worst in UK for flight delays

New data highlights ongoing punctuality issues at major UK airports

Manchester Airport has been ranked the worst in the United Kingdom for flight delays, according to newly analysed data from the Civil Aviation Authority. The findings underline persistent concerns around reliability at some of the country’s busiest travel hubs, particularly as demand for air travel continues to recover post-pandemic.

The analysis, conducted by the Press Association, places Manchester at the bottom of the league table for punctuality in 2025, raising fresh questions for passengers planning holidays and business trips alike.

Manchester Airport records longest average delays

Nearly 20 minutes behind schedule

Departures from Manchester Airport — the UK’s third busiest airport — were delayed by an average of 19 minutes and 30 seconds over the course of 2025.

The airport, which handled around 32 million passengers last year, is one of only two in the UK with dual runways, alongside Heathrow Airport. Despite its scale and strategic importance, it has struggled to maintain consistent on-time performance.

Other airports also affected

In second place for delays was Birmingham Airport, where flights departed an average of 18 minutes and 42 seconds late.

Bournemouth Airport ranked third, with delays averaging 17 minutes and 18 seconds.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Liverpool John Lennon Airport recorded the best punctuality, with average delays of just nine minutes and 24 seconds — less than half that of Manchester.

Causes behind the disruption

External factors play a major role

Industry experts point out that many flight delays are caused by factors beyond the direct control of airport operators. These include disruptions to air traffic control systems, particularly across European airspace, as well as adverse weather conditions — both of which have been significant issues over the past year.

Airspace restrictions linked to geopolitical tensions have also had a knock-on effect, particularly for airports with extensive long-haul routes. Manchester, with its wide international network, has been disproportionately impacted compared with smaller regional airports.

Industry response and passenger concerns

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said punctuality is heavily influenced by external pressures, highlighting industrial action affecting air traffic control in Europe and challenging weather patterns as key contributors.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said airport choice should not “make or break” a trip, but acknowledged that many यात्रas began poorly last year due to delays.

He added that Manchester Airport has ranked last in Which?’s own survey for four consecutive years, suggesting a pattern of underperformance that may undermine passenger confidence.

“For travellers already wary of disruption, consistent delays make it harder to book with any real assurance,” he said.

How the data was compiled

Scope of the analysis

The study examined scheduled and charter departures from 23 commercial UK airports, each handling at least 1,000 outbound flights during the year.

Importantly, cancellations were not included in the analysis, meaning the figures focus solely on delays to flights that did operate.

This provides a clearer picture of punctuality but may understate the broader scale of disruption experienced by passengers.

What it means for UK travellers

With international travel rebounding and summer demand expected to surge, punctuality remains a key concern for UK passengers. While delays are often unavoidable, consistent underperformance at major hubs such as Manchester is likely to influence traveller decisions.

For those flying from regional airports, the data suggests smaller hubs may offer a more reliable experience — though often with fewer route options.

Conclusion

The latest figures from the Civil Aviation Authority reinforce ongoing concerns about flight delays at major UK airports, with Manchester once again at the bottom of the rankings. While many causes lie beyond airport control, the consistency of the issue highlights the challenges facing the aviation sector as it seeks to balance growing demand with operational resilience.

Graham Greene

“Entrepreneur. Freelance introvert. Creator. Passionate reader. Certified beer ninja. Food nerd.”