Travellers passing through Gatwick Airport this summer are the most likely in the UK to experience flight delays, according to new research.
The West Sussex hub, the second busiest airport in the country with around 100,000 passengers a day, ranked 235th out of 250 terminals worldwide in a global report by passenger rights group AirHelp. The report analysed airports across 68 countries and scored them out of 10 based on on-time performance, customer feedback, and the quality of food and shops.
Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, also fared poorly, coming in at 178th place.
The figures will make grim reading for holidaymakers heading abroad during the peak season, though there was brighter news for some UK airports. Liverpool John Lennon Airport was the best-performing UK hub, placing 35th overall, while London City Airport ranked a respectable 56th.
Elsewhere, Leeds Bradford came in at 132nd, Birmingham at 214th, and Manchester—used by 30 million passengers last year—was ranked 220th.
Cape Town International Airport in South Africa topped the list as the world’s best-performing airport. It handled three million international passengers in 2024 and was praised for efficiency and service.
Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which was named World’s Best Airport at the Skytrax Awards 2024, placed second. Riyadh’s King Khaled Airport came third, reflecting heavy investment in infrastructure across the Middle East.
Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO of AirHelp, said: “As millions of people prepare for their summer holidays, our data offers a clear picture of where travellers are most—and least—likely to face delays.
“While it’s great to see airports like Liverpool and London City performing well, others continue to fall short on key passenger expectations like punctuality and amenities.”
Meanwhile, the cost of airport parking is emerging as another major concern for UK travellers this summer.
According to new data from Confused.com, short-stay parking in England is almost 90 per cent more expensive than in Scotland, with some passengers paying close to £200 to park for just four days.
The average cost for four days in a short-stay car park is now £93.90, while long-stay options are cheaper, averaging £59 over the same period.
The most expensive short-stay parking was recorded at London City Airport, with fees reaching £189 for less than a week. However, a spokesperson for the airport noted that only 10 per cent of passengers arrive by private car and said: “Those that do use our car park enjoy being able to walk to our terminal from any area in a matter of minutes.”
Prices were compared across official UK airport websites over four sample dates, covering peak and off-peak periods in August and October, including both weekdays and weekends.
Confused.com said many travellers are overpaying by not comparing parking options in advance. The site advised holidaymakers to check prices and book early to avoid excessive fees.
