Birmingham Airport ranks worst for delays for second year running

Birmingham Airport has been ranked the worst for delays in the UK for the second year running.

Analysis of figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) by the PA news agency found departures in 2022 were on average half an hour behind schedule.

Close behind were the now-closed Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Manchester Airport, both with an average delay of 29 minutes.

The analysis, which did not include cancelled flights, found the worst months for delays were May and June, when the aviation sector failed to recruit and train enough staff to cope with a surge in demand for holidays.

Passengers also reported having to spend hours in long queues for check-in and security in Birmingham last year.

The average delay time of half an hour is more than double the average delay for 2021 at the airport, which was 12 minutes and 24 seconds.

Meanwhile, the best airport for minimal disruption was found to be East Midlands, with an average delay of 13 minutes.

Across all airports, the average delay was 23 minutes.

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport (BHX) said: “The start of 2022 was devastated by Covid. After travel restrictions were lifted, the aviation industry fought hard to recover.

“This year, the first since 2020 not impacted by Covid, our airport is running smoothly with customers set to equal or exceed pre-pandemic numbers.

“Customers using BHX this summer can expect changes to walking routes as we build our £40m new security hall, set to be ready for June 2024.”