Vueling Airlines has become the least punctual major airline flying from the UK…
The airlines departures were an average of 31 minutes late in 2018 according to an investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority. It was also revealed Thomas Cook Airlines was the second worst with an average of 25 minutes. The researched looked at more than 40 airlines which fly from UK airports and they found an average delay time of 16 minutes.
A spokesman for Vueling said the airline’s punctuality was “hugely affected” by strikes in France.
The spokesman explained: “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.
“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.”
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, has blamed the UK’s “antiquated airspace”.
He said: “We support government in its efforts to introduce much needed modernisation so we can continue to safely and effectively accommodate the ever-rising demand for air travel.”
The average delays for flights with at least 2,000 departures from the UK:
1. Vueling Airlines (30.5 minutes)
2. Thomas Cook Airlines (24.2 minutes)
3. Wizz Air (22.8 minutes)
4. Norwegian Air UK (22.2 minutes)
5. Eurowings Luftverkehrs (21.7 minutes)
6. Norwegian Air Shuttle (21.5 minutes)
7. Air Portugal (21.3 minutes)
8. Ryanair (21.0 minutes)
9. Eastern Airways (20.1 minutes)
10. Turkish Airlines (18.7 minutes)
11. Blue Air Transport Aerian (18.6 minutes)
12. Tui Airways (18.3 minutes)
13. Swiss Airlines (18.0 minutes)
14. Norwegian Air International (17.8 minutes)
15. Aurigny Air Services (17.6 minutes)
16. EasyJet UK (17.6 minutes)
17. BMI Regional (16.4 minutes)
18. Brussels Airlines (16.1 minutes)
19. EasyJet Airline Company (16.1 minutes)
20. Stobart Air (16.0 minutes)
