Which short-haul airline was ranked UK’s worst for delays last year? | Travel News

Wizz Air was the worst main airline for flight delays from the UK final yr, in line with an investigation.

The figures, from the Civil Aviation Authority and reported by the PA information company, discovered that the Hungarian service’s UK departures have been a median of 46 minutes and 6 seconds delayed final yr.

This delay was greater than 3 times longer than the earlier yr, when it was additionally ranked the worst for punctuality.

Tui was the second worst, with a median delay of 40 minutes and 18 seconds, adopted by Qatar Airways (31 minutes and 48 seconds), Turkish Airways (29 minutes and 30 seconds) and Pegasus Airways (27 minutes and 18 seconds).

Probably the most punctual was Norwegian Air Shuttle, with a median delay of simply 13 minutes and 42 seconds.

Throughout all departures from UK airports by airways with greater than 2,500 flights, the common delay was 23 minutes.

Rory Boland, editor of journal Which? Journey, stated: “These figures are worrying, however can be no shock to passengers who’ve needed to endure shoddy therapy from airways for years.

“With a regulator nonetheless missing the suitable powers to punish airways who break the regulation, together with withholding refunds, it’s troublesome to flee the conclusion that some carriers are merely getting away with leaving passengers excessive and dry.

“To higher shield passengers, the federal government should give the CAA efficient powers to clamp down on poor airline behaviour, which incorporates the flexibility handy out hefty fines once they frequently flout the regulation.”

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CAA client director Paul Smith stated: “The CAA has recurrently requested for stronger client enforcement powers, together with the flexibility to impose fines on airways.

“When issues do go improper, we anticipate airways to proactively present passengers with details about their rights when flights are disrupted, in addition to supply well timed assist and help.

“We have already raised issues about Wizz Air and are working carefully with the airline to enhance outcomes for shoppers.”

The CAA stated in December that the service was delaying refunds and its passengers have been extra prone to escalate their complaints.

A spokesman for commerce physique Airways UK stated: “The entire business is aware of how necessary punctuality is for purchasers.

“Final yr was not consultant as a result of late unwinding of COVID restrictions which required a really steep ramp up.

“Since then, the sector has invested large assets into elevated resilience for this summer time and we won’t wait to welcome individuals again for his or her well-earned breaks.”

Wizz Air has not commented.