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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Saffron Otter

The worst major airlines for UK flight delays revealed

The worst and best major airlines for UK flight delays have been revealed in an investigation by the civil aviation regulator.

Data shows Spanish airline Vueling Airlines has the worst punctuality of all major airlines flying from UK airports, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Following in at second place is Thomas Cook airlines, with Wizz Air coming in third.

In an analysis of figures from 2018 by the Press Association, Spanish carrier Vueling's departures from the UK were found on average to be 31 minutes late.

Thomas Cook flights had an average delay of 24 minutes; and Whizz Air 23.

Thomas Cook performed typically 24 minutes late (PA)

On the contrary, Cathay Pacific Airways came up top as the most punctual airline, with aircraft typically taking off just eight minutes behind schedule.

The study ranked statistics from 43 airlines, which each had more than 2,000 flights from UK airports last year, resulting in an average delay across all flights of 16 minutes.

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A spokesman for Vueling, which flies from Manchester Airport Terminal 3, attributed strikes by air traffic controllers for the havoc to the low cost airline's punctuality.

He said they were 'hugely affected' by industrial action in France.

"There were 22 strike days at Marseille last summer.

"During these strikes, Vueling flights to and from Barcelona and the UK could not fly straight across France, but instead flew south of the Pyrenees and into the Atlantic before looping back towards Britain.

Was your flight delayed this summer? (Manchester Evening News)

"All airlines have been affected by air traffic control issues in Europe, but the location of Vueling's (Barcelona) hub close to Marseille means it has been particularly badly affected."

Vueling, whose parent company owns British Airways, said they're taking measures to prevent further impact from air traffic control issues, such as allocating up to 10 spare aircraft to operate flights during disruption.

A Thomas Cook Airlines spokeswoman said: "A variety of factors, including air traffic control strikes in Europe and periods of severe weather, contributed to record levels of disruption across the industry in 2018. Unlike many airlines, we almost never cancel flights because we want get our customers away on holiday, so these factors had a particular impact on our punctuality figures.

"We had a significant period of growth in 2018 with new routes and slots at UK airports. Our customers are our first priority when a flight is delayed and we always want to get them on holiday on time.

"We have taken steps to improve punctuality this year, including operating more reserve aircraft to help get flights back on time quickly if delays happen."

While many UK train lines pay compensation for delays of more than 15 minutes, jetsetters are only entitled to a pay out under European Union rules if they arrive at their destination more than three hours late.

Carriers can also avoid paying out if the disruption was due to 'extraordinary circumstances', such as severe weather or a security alert.

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