The worst airline for flight delays has been revealed in a new investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The new figures show that Wizz Air was the worst airline for delays taking off from airports across the UK. The Hungarian carriers departures from British airports were an average of 14 minutes and 24 seconds behind schedule last year, according to the CAA data obtained.
The airline typically operates short-haul flights from UK airports, that include Edinburgh, Gatwick, Cardiff, Luton and Belfast International. Tui Airways, who operate from Glasgow as well as many other airports, recorded the second worst timings for take-off, averaging a 13 minute and 18 second delay.
READ MORE - Tui issues travel warning to holidaymakers heading to Glasgow Airport
British Airways came in third with a delay of 12 minutes and 42 seconds, and subsidiary BA CityFlyer airline Virgin Atlantic was in fourth - 12 minutes exactly. Loganair followed with a delay of 11 minutes and 30 seconds.
Ryanair and easyJet, the two most used airlines in the UK, were among the leading performers in punctuality of take-off times. EasyJet had the second shortest average delay per flight of four minutes and 36 seconds, while Ryanair was in third place with six minutes and six seconds.
Ireland's flag airline Aer Lingus was the only airline to perform better, with a typical delay of just three minutes and 12 seconds. Cancelled flights were not included in this analyis, which took into account all scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports by airlines that operated over 2,500 flights.
Guy Hobbs, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said: “While these findings are worrying, the reality has actually been far worse for many travellers this summer.
“Holidaymakers have faced a barrage of disruption over the last few months, and these latest figures only serve to underline the need for urgent reform of the travel industry.
“The Government must drop plans to slash passenger compensation for delayed and cancelled domestic flights.”
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: “Worsening flight delays have caused enormous stress to many consumers over the last year, as well as financial pain while waiting for refunds and compensation.
“Airlines, airports and air traffic control teams need to work together far more closely and ensure that flying becomes more seamless and more enjoyable for us all.
“That will only happen when staff shortages are properly overcome and the aviation industry can grow again post-pandemic.”
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