SEO Backlinks has analysed Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) punctuality data for the first half of 2025, ranking UK airports by the proportion of flights departing on time. The study found that Manchester Airport is the most likely to delay passengers' holidays, with only 71.5% of flights recorded as on time. That means 28.5% of departures—roughly one in four—failed to meet the punctuality standard.
Top 10 Worst Airports for Punctuality
Birmingham International ranked second worst, with 72.5% of flights on time. Stansted and Bournemouth tied for third, both at 73.5%. The full bottom 10 includes Bristol (74.5%), Teesside (75%), Newcastle (75.5%), Gatwick (75.5%), Jersey (75.5%), and Exeter (76%).
Impact on Travellers
Daniel Weston, spokesperson for SEO Backlinks, said: "Flight time and ticket price are usually the first things people compare, but punctuality can make a huge difference to the start of a holiday. If you are booking a tight connection, travelling with children or paying for airport parking by the hour, a lower on-time score can quickly become expensive and stressful." He advised passengers to check the latest airport and airline status before leaving home, keep screenshots of disruption notices, and know when they may be entitled to support or compensation if a delay is within the airline's control.
Airport Response
A Manchester Airport spokesperson countered the study, calling it "misleading" for ignoring context such as industrial action affecting air traffic control in Europe, adverse weather, and airspace restrictions above conflict zones. They noted that airports with significant long-haul networks, like Manchester, were more significantly affected. "As an industry we are working collectively to achieve the best possible on-time departure rates, while protecting flight schedules and avoiding the need for cancellations," the spokesperson added.
While London airports did not dominate the bottom 10, both Stansted and Gatwick featured, indicating the issue is not confined to regional airports.
