Gatwick: the airport with the most delays

Despite increasingly vocal criticism of Heathrow Airport, statistics show that the worst airport in the UK in terms of flight delays is Gatwick. Stansted Airport has the second most delays in the country followed by Heathrow and Manchester Airport.

The information is based on comments lodged on a website operated by Independent Travel Agents and Travel Counselors. The website monitors delays at airports in the UK and was launched in order to gather information which could be used to more effectively lobby government officials for changes in aviation policy, especially regulations which affect security, long queues and declining customer service.

The website has received comments from 170 passengers to date and the results indicate that the worst airport for delays is Gatwick. The average passenger waited 44 minutes in security lines and another 35 minutes at immigration.

At Stansted, passengers waited an average of 35 minutes for check in, and 38 minutes in security queues. Leeds Bradford Airport did well getting passengers through security and immigration quickly but still has very slow check in times, with passengers waiting in line an average of 40 minutes just to check in for their flights.

The best airport, according to the website’s information, was Bristol Airport where the average waiting time for check-in, security and immigration was less than ten minutes.

The website’s creator and the founder of Travel Counselors, David Speakman, said: “Despite this summer’s outcry about airport standards, I’m livid that airports are still continuing to treat travellers with such disdain.”

Mr Speakman concluded: “To make a difference we need to know from travellers the reality of what they are facing. I’ll take this information to politicians and airport authorities and will campaign hard to make a difference.”