The UK's worst airport for flight cancellations revealed - as unlikely location takes the top spot
A new study conducted by flight compensation specialists, AirAdvisor, analysed scheduled departures from 20 of the busiest airports by passenger traffic across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the last two years.
It found that at all UK airports, the average flight cancellation rate in 2024 was 1.46 per cent - down slightly from 1.78 per cent in 2023.
At London's major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, the number of flights cancelled fell by almost 15 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
Despite this, Southampton emerged as the UK's worst major airport for cancelled flights, followed by Belfast City, London City, Aberdeen and Glasgow airports.
According to punctuality statistics cultivated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 3.57 per cent of flights from Southampton were cancelled in 2024 - affecting a total of 853,000 terminal passengers.
The CAA defines cancelled flights 'as the non-operation of a previously planned flight, announced less than 24 hours before or after its scheduled departure time.'
At Belfast City Airport, 2.3 million passengers experienced cancellations in 2024 - with 3.31 per cent of scheduled flights axed, down from 3.50 per cent in 2023.
According to punctuality statistics cultivated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), 3.57 per cent of flights from Southampton were cancelled in 2024 - affecting a total of 853,000 terminal passengers
Cancellations at London City Airport stood at 3.13 per cent, affecting 3.5 million passengers, in 2024 - falling from 4 per cent the previous year.
Additionally, Aberdeen Airport and Glasgow Airport saw 2.7 per cent and 2.15 per cent, respectively, of flights cancelled in 2024, with 2.3 million and 8 million passengers' journeys disrupted.
On the other hand, AirAdvisor's findings unveiled five UK airports with the lowest cancellation rates in 2024 - with Bournemouth taking the top spot for the second year running with a rate of 0.08 per cent.
This was followed by East Midlands International at 0.39 per cent, Belfast International at 0.41 per cent, Luton at 0.58 per cent and Bristol at 0.66 per cent.
Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, said of the findings: 'The UK aviation industry is still in something of a recovery mode post-pandemic, however there is light at the end of the tunnel.
'This is reflected by the average cancellation rates at most major airports decreasing, which is promising to see.
'At several airports around the country, cancellation rates are still more than double the national average. These airports and their airline partners simply must do better. And passengers deserve better.'
He added: 'Fortunately, British air passengers are protected by comprehensive legislation that entitles you to up to £520 in compensation if your flight to or from the UK, or with a UK or EU-based airline is cancelled with less than two weeks' notice, depending on the circumstances that led to the cancellation.'
At Belfast City, 2.3 million passengers experienced cancellations in 2024 - with 3.31 per cent of scheduled flights axed, down from 3.50 per cent in 2023
AirAdvisor's findings unveiled five UK airports with the lowest cancellation rates in 2024 - with Bournemouth taking the top spot for the second year running with a rate of 0.08 per cent
For customers whose journeys have been affected by cancelled flights, Radchenko advised using a free compensation calculator to establish any compensation that may be owed.
It comes as Gatwick has retained its unwanted title as the country's worst airport for delays – with departures last year running on average 23 minutes late.
The figures come as a busy summer holiday period looms and amid a warning from the travel industry that such delays risk leaving passengers feeling that they are not 'respected'.
The data is an improvement for Gatwick from nearly 27 minutes in the previous 12 months but it is still longer than at any other domestic airport, said the Civil Aviation Authority.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Travel expert reveals what to do if you lose your luggage - as OVER 62,000 items go missing at UK airports in a year
You've stepped off a flight, gone through border control and now you're waiting for your luggage at the baggage carousel. But you've been there a while and the crowds have thinned – but still no bag. It's a travel nightmare that many of us have experienced. In fact, UK airports saw more than 62,000 items reported lost between August 2023 and August 2024, according to data shared by Now experts from Hoppa, a transport comparison and booking site, are advising holidaymakers on what they should do if they find themselves without their luggage. 'Losing luggage is always stressful, but not knowing what to do makes the situation even worse,' says Chris Harrington, Hoppa's managing director. 'Ultimately, the faster and more informed your response, the better chances of recovering your bag or receiving updates on its status. 'The process isn't as complicated as one might think, but there are important steps you need to follow.' In the event you can't locate your luggage, the thing to do immediately is to report it. Head straight for your airline's luggage service desk, which is usually found near the baggage claim area. 'Remember, the quicker you act, the better your chances of finding out what's happened to your luggage,' says Hoppa. It's important to provide as much detail as possible, the firm adds, with information on the brand, colour, size, type of shell, plus any unique identifiers, such as tags or stickers. If you have any photos of your bag, show them to staff. Hoppa urges any affected travellers to make sure they request a 'property irregularity report' (PIR) reference number. 'A PIR number is a unique code that is used by airlines to trace your missing luggage and will be needed when you follow up on your luggage's status or if you need to make an insurance claim.' Be sure to ask about whether your airline will cover essentials, such as clothing or toiletries, while they track your luggage – especially, says Hoppa, if away from home. 'Even if the airline does not hand out allowances, make sure to keep all your receipts. With proper evidence, you may be able to claim these costs back at a later date.' Many travel insurers offer coverage for luggage that has been delayed for more than 12-24 hours, so get in touch with your provider as soon as possible. If you're unfortunate enough to still have luggage missing after 3 weeks, be sure to follow up. Once your bag has been missing for more than 21 days, it is officially classified as lost, and you'll you need to follow up with the airline and initiate a formal lost luggage claim.' Airlines have specific deadlines for submitting lost luggage claims, varying anywhere between 7 to 21 days. And remember the Montreal Convention, which means that airlines are responsible for compensating up to £1,300 if your luggage is lost, damaged or delayed. 'To file a claim, you'll need to provide proof of your luggage and its contents, so have this information prepared. The more information you have, the more likely you will be to make a successful claim'
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Escapade Silverstone hotel review: a modern trackside stay
Waking up to the sound of the revving engines of F1 cars just outside the door of your hotel, then sipping your morning coffee while drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris whizz past just metres away from your balcony is the stuff of dreams for motorsport fans. That's the reality of a stay at ultra-modern Escapade Silverstone. Opened in March, the 14-acre Escapade complex sits trackside overlooking a 550-metre stretch of Silverstone Circuit, home of the British Grand Prix, which straddles Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. The hotel comprises a clubhouse with a roof terrace bar, fine-dining restaurant and 60 one- to four-bedroom apartments, many of which offer unparalleled views of the world-famous Maggotts and Becketts corners — some of the fastest and most exciting in the world. If you're a motorsport fan, this is one of the most thrilling hotel experiences out there. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Score 8/10Guests can choose from three types of modular 'residence', which can be booked as an entire apartment or individual lockable rooms. The Trackside residences come at a premium because they offer sensational views of the circuit from their cantilevered balconies, some of which are as little as 12 metres from the crash barrier. Countryside residences are further away from the track and have calming views across the fields behind; while Dual-Aspect are sited between the Trackside and Countryside residences, and are the only type to have rooftop terraces with panoramic views. But for those guests without Trackside properties, the best views of any circuit action are from the restaurant and rooftop champagne bar, which is open exclusively to hotel guests. • London's top serviced apartments Each apartment is owned by a private landlord, but managed and maintained by the hotel; owners are able to use their property for up to 100 days but many visit less frequently than that. Each comes with its own open-plan kitchen area, lounge, terrace and parking in an air-conditioned garage or car port; bedrooms have an en suite bathroom. In terms of decor, all residences are light-filled, modern and comfortable. They also benefit from wooden floors with underfloor heating and air conditioning. Accessible residences, called Liberty, have lifts from the ground floor and the apartments are suitable for wheelchair users, with lowered kitchen facilities and accessible bathrooms. Cots are available for babies, and games consoles are on hand for older children. • 100 of the Best Places to Stay in the UK Score 8/10During dinner in the Gallery restaurant you will find yourself surrounded by a collection of motor sport-related artworks, with a number of TV screens showing round-the-clock Sky Sports F1. The large dining room has an impressive full-length window offering superb views of the circuit. The chef, Matt Tsistrakis, is an alumnus of London's Savoy hotel, and that expertise was apparent in the modern French menu. Starters include smoked aubergine soup or shellfish bisque; mains include duck and monkfish; while vegetarians have mushroom risotto or beetroot burgers. Kids are well catered for with their own menu that includes the usual bangers and mash and pasta, but also breaded lemon sole or grilled chicken. I chose crispy pork belly with sweet sauce and plum ketchup to start, followed by a beef cheek main that disintegrated under the weight of a fork and melted in the mouth. For dessert, the sticky toffee pudding was delicious but sweet enough to make the head swim; the maitre d' suggested the blood orange soufflé next time, and brought out the accompanying negroni sorbet to try: it was sharp, cleansing stuff. Ask for a red wine recommendation and you may be steered towards the house red, a Baccolo Rosso Corvina, although the wide selection of wines also includes Whispering Angel and Dom Perignon. • Best boutique hotels in the UK Breakfast includes an excellent hot buffet, selection of cold meats, cereals and juices are available, as is filter coffee (£18pp); à la carte dishes and barista-made coffees are extra. Track walks are possible during scheduled slots and the concierge can help to arrange them, as well as booking driving experiences within Silverstone, from doughnutting open-wheeled Caterham roadsters to going flat-out with McLaren supercars on track (from £139; Most guests, though, will make use of the more traditional facilities, including the wellness centre with a 15m indoor swimming pool, which is heated year-round but can feel busy at times, a sauna and a gym, which has a range of Matrix cardio machines, adjustable pulleys and free weights. Spa treatments can also be arranged in advance. • Discover our full guide to the UK Score 7/10Escapade is within the Silverstone Circuit between Towcester and Brackley, officially within Northamptonshire but spilling over into north Buckinghamshire. Milton Keynes Central is the closest station, from where it is a 25-minute taxi ride to the hotel. Better to drive (90 minutes from central London), because each residence has its own garage. You will find upmarket shopping at Bicester Village (30 minutes away by car) and stunning Georgian landscaping at Stowe Gardens (20 minutes away). Price B&B doubles from £250Restaurant mains from £22Accessible YFamily-friendly NDog-friendly N Will Dron was a guest of Escapade Silverstone (
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Overnight work for up to 20 weeks on A9's Cromarty Bridge
Overnight work lasting about 20 weeks is to be carried out on the A9's Cromarty road maintenance company Bear Scotland said essential maintenance was needed on both lanes of the crossing near said from 21 July there would be a 30mph limit, temporary traffic lights and construction work would be done between 19:00 and 06:00 in an effort to minimise Scotland said temporary traffic lights would not be operated in daytime during the Black Isle Show and Belladrum Tartan Heart festival. The events near Beauly are due to take place over the end of July and start of attract tens of thousands of Cromarty Bridge is also on the popular North Coast 500 tourist route. Euan Scott, of Bear Scotland said: "This refurbishment is an important investment in this major structure by Transport Scotland which will help ensure the long-term integrity of the bridge."We are committed to completing this essential maintenance as quickly and safely as possible. "Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys."Meanwhile, Scottish Water has proposed postponing a water main upgrade that would close two-mile (1.2km) stretch of the A862 at Dingwall for more than three company said it had listened to local concerns and planned to put off the work until next closure was expected to last about 13 weeks between 7 July and 26 September.
