UK’s most delayed summer routes: Ryanair and EasyJet top list

The summer of 2024, traditionally the busiest time of the year for air travel, has seen a significant number of flight delays and cancellations, impacting thousands of passengers. A detailed analysis conducted by EUclaim, focused exclusively on flights to and from UK airports from June 1st to August 22nd, 2024, provides crucial insights into this peak travel period.

Given the high volume of flights during this season, it was an opportune time to analyze how airlines serving UK airports performed, particularly in terms of punctuality and reliability.

Key findings: Ryanair and EasyJet top list of delays

The analysis revealed that Ryanair and EasyJet were the top offenders in terms of flight delays this summer. Ryanair recorded 789 delayed flights, while EasyJet followed closely with 722 delays. These numbers highlight the significant challenges these airlines faced during this busy period.

However, it wasn’t just these two budget carriers that struggled. Thomsonfly (385 delays), Jet2.com (308 delays), and British Airways (285 delays) also experienced substantial disruptions. Wizz Air, when combining the delays of its Malta and Hungary operations, reported 292 delayed flights.

Flying from Mallorca? Prepare for delays

Most delays are concentrated on routes either to or from Palma de Mallorca. Meanwhile, London Heathrow experienced the highest number of cancellations, which is unsurprising given the sheer volume of flights operating through one of the world’s busiest airports.

Top 5 Most Delayed Routes from/to UK

1. Palma de Mallorca – London Gatwick: 45 delays
2. Palma de Mallorca – Manchester: 28 delays
3. Rhodos – London Gatwick: 26 delays
4. Bari – London Gatwick: 25 delays
5. Manchester – Palma de Mallorca: 24 delays

Top 5 Most Cancelled Routes from/to UK

1. Munich – London Heathrow: 43 cancellations
2. London Heathrow – Munich: 42 cancellations
3. London Heathrow – Zurich: 30 cancellations
4. Zurich – London Heathrow: 29 cancellations
5. Barcelona – London Heathrow: 26 cancellations

A complex summer for airlines

The reasons behind these delays are complex and multifaceted. While no specific operational challenges have been highlighted for Ryanair and EasyJet, it’s clear that all airlines suffered from a range of external factors this summer.

Several air traffic control restrictions, often due to understaffing or airspace congestion, played a significant role. Additionally, an IT issue caused by a Crowdstrike/Microsoft software malfunction led to widespread disruption, affecting flight schedules across multiple airlines.

Criteria for analysis

In this research, EUclaim focused on flights that experienced delays of at least three hours. This threshold is crucial, as under EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK261, passengers on such flights are entitled to compensation, making these delays not just inconvenient but also financially significant.

Cancellations were also tracked meticulously, adding another layer to the analysis of airline performance.

Lennoc’s Flight Intelligence Database provided the data. This database ensures reliability by continuously collecting and verifying flight information from multiple sources, including air traffic control centers, airline operations, and airport data feeds.

About EUclaim

EUclaim ensures that airline passengers receive the compensation they are entitled to. When passengers face a flight delay, cancellation, missed connection or denied boarding they are entitled to compensation.

Contact Information:

• Jerrymie Marcus, Press Officer, EUclaim
• Email: jmarcus@euclaim.nl