New aviation data shows Manchester has the longest average delays in the UK. Liverpool John Lennon Airport recorded the best punctuality among major airports.
Recent analysis by the Press Association has highlighted significant disparities in punctuality among UK airports, offering travelers valuable insights for their journey planning. Based on data from the Civil Aviation Authority, the study evaluated scheduled and charter flights across 23 major commercial airports, each managing at least 1,000 outbound journeys, while excluding cancellations. Liverpool John Lennon Airport emerged as the top performer, recording the highest level of punctuality in 2025. It achieved an average delay of just 9 minutes and 24 seconds, setting the benchmark for consistency among its peers.
This stands in stark contrast to Manchester Airport, which experienced the longest average delays among UK airports at 19 minutes and 30 seconds. While this represents a slight improvement for Manchester over the previous year, it remains a notable point of friction for passengers. Birmingham Airport followed, with the second-longest average delays at 18 minutes and 42 seconds, and Bournemouth Airport recorded delays of just over 17 minutes.
Despite these individual variations, the overall national trend showed a positive shift. The average departure delay across UK airports improved to 14 minutes and 54 seconds, a decrease from 18 minutes in the prior year.
Despite this general improvement, industry experts continue to express concern over inconsistent performance. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, noted that persistent underperformance at certain airports continues to negatively impact passenger confidence, warning that repeated delays make it increasingly difficult for travelers to plan their journeys with certainty. Airport operators, however, often point to external factors beyond their control. Manchester Airport, for example, has cited the compounding effects of adverse weather, disruptions to European air traffic control, and airspace restrictions related to international conflict zones as significant contributors to operational delays, particularly for long-haul routes.
