UK Airport Delay Rankings 2025: The Most and Least Punctual British Hubs
CAA data reveals the most delayed UK airports in 2025. See the full rankings, the most punctual airports, and what delays mean for passengers.
If it feels like delays are still a regular part of flying in the UK, you’re not imagining it. New Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data covering the first half of 2025 shows that while punctuality is improving nationally, some airports are far more likely to disrupt your travel plans than others.
AirAdvisor analysed the punctuality data from 25 of the UK’s busiest airports for Q1 and Q2 2025. The findings reveal a widening gap between airports that are managing delays effectively and those where disruption remains a regular part of the passenger experience.
One airport, in particular, stands out.
What counts as an “on-time” flight under CAA rules?
Before looking at the rankings, it helps to understand how punctuality is measured.
The CAA defines a flight as “on-time” if it arrives at or departs from the airport gate within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure time. Any delay beyond that threshold is officially recorded as late.
In practice, this means that even relatively short flight delays are reflected in the data. These figures are not about minor timetable adjustments, but about how often passengers are left waiting longer than expected.
Manchester Airport named the most delayed UK airport in 2025
Based on the CAA’s data, Manchester Airport recorded the lowest punctuality rate of any major UK airport in the first six months of 2025.
Between January and June, only 71.5% of flights departed or arrived on time.
More concerning is the trend over time. Manchester’s on-time performance declined from 74% in Q1 to 69% in Q2, suggesting that delays became more frequent as the year progressed. This places Manchester well below the national 77% average, increasing the likelihood of flight disruptions for passengers flying from this airport.
UK airport delay rankings for 2025 (Q1–Q2)
These rankings are based on the average percentage of on-time flights across Q1 and Q2 in 2025. The most punctual airports consistently operated within 15 minutes of schedule, while the least punctual experienced delays far more often.
Most delayed UK airports (lowest on-time rates)
- Manchester – 71.5%
- Birmingham International – 72.5%
- Stansted – 73.5%
- Bournemouth – 73.5%
- Bristol – 74.5%
Most punctual UK airports (highest on-time rates)
- Aberdeen – 83%
- Belfast City – 82.5%
- Liverpool – 82%
- Belfast International – 81.5%
- London City and Glasgow – 80%
Key takeaway: the gap between the most and least punctual UK airports now exceeds 11 percentage points, meaning the airport you fly from can significantly affect your risk of delays.
Full UK airport punctuality rankings (CAA data)
Methodology: rankings are based on CAA punctuality data measuring the percentage of flights arriving or departing within 15 minutes of schedule across Q1 and Q2 2025.
| Airport | Q1 on-time % | Q2 on-time % | 2025 average % |
|---|---|---|---|
Aberdeen | 80 | 86 | 83 |
Belfast City | 84 | 81 | 82.5 |
Liverpool | 82 | 82 | 82 |
Belfast International | 81 | 82 | 81.5 |
London City | 83 | 78 | 80.5 |
81 | 79 | 80 | |
Southend | 78 | 79 | 78.5 |
81 | 75 | 78 | |
Cardiff | 79 | 76 | 77.5 |
Isle of Man | 73 | 81 | 77 |
79 | 74 | 76.5 | |
Southampton | 77 | 76 | 76.5 |
Exeter | 78 | 74 | 76 |
Newcastle | 76 | 75 | 75.5 |
78 | 73 | 75.5 | |
Jersey | 80 | 71 | 75.5 |
Teesside | 73 | 77 | 75 |
78 | 71 | 74.5 | |
76 | 71 | 73.5 | |
Bournemouth | 78 | 69 | 73.5 |
78 | 67 | 72.5 | |
74 | 69 | 71.5 |
For CAA reporting purposes, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are included as domestic aviation, despite not formally being part of the United Kingdom.
Are UK flight delays improving year on year?
At a national level, it appears that punctuality is improving.
In the first half of 2024, only 72.5% of UK flights were on time. In the same period in 2025, that figure increased to 77%, indicating a clear improvement in overall punctuality.
The picture in terms of flight delays is definitely improving across the UK. According to the CAA, only 72.5 percent of UK flights in the first six months of 2024 were on-time, so the increase to 77 percent in the same period this year represents a meaningful improvement. – Anton Radchenko, Esq., Aviation Lawyer
Why UK flight delays increased after the pandemic
In the years following the pandemic, flight delays rose sharply. Airlines and airports faced staff shortages, supply chain disruption, and a rapid return of passenger demand.
At the same time, airlines have operated under increased legal pressure. UK legislation allows passengers to claim compensation when delays are caused by issues an airline could have avoided, such as technical faults or crew shortages.
Airport operators also have strong incentives to reduce delays, as on-time operations are closely linked to passenger satisfaction and reputation.
What UK flight delay rankings mean for passengers
Even with improving national figures, delays remain common at certain airports.
If your flight arrives three hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation of up to £520 under UK261 regulations, depending on the flight distance and the cause of the delayCompensation eligibility depends on whether the delay was caused by the airline, rather than extraordinary circumstances outside its control.Check Your Flight
Many passengers assume most delays are unavoidable, particularly at busy airports, but in reality, if the delay was within the airline’s control, your rights still apply.
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
