One flight in four delayed from Heathrow

By Shafik Meghji, Evening Standard

Last updated at 12:34 13 March 2003


Airports including Heathrow and Gatwick suffered the worst delays in Europe last year and the problem is getting worse, according to new reports.

Figures from the Association of European Airlines show that more than one in four flights from Heathrow to European destinations was late.

Twenty-seven per cent of European flights from Gatwick were also delayed - both significantly above the European average.

A separate report by Eurocontrol, which supervises continental flights, confirms Britain has the worst record in Europe. Italy was the only other country to suffer an increase.

The two worst routes for delays - Heathrow to Oslo and Madrid - are both important business destinations.

However there is a small crumb of comfort for British airports and their passengers. They may suffer the most delays, but they don't suffer the longest.

That dishonour goes to Greece's Athens airport where average delays were 75 minutes, and Larnaca airport in Cyprus, where the average delay was 53 minutes.

Most watched News videos

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.