Fewer delayed flights at London Luton Airport – as union warns of staff shortages

An aviation workers' union said flight delays are a lasting consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, and warned of lingering staff shortages across the country.

The Civil Aviation Authority – the UK's aviation regulator – and the Department for Transport are working to create a UK Airspace Design Service, aimed at reducing flight delays, emissions and noise pollution.

Recent CAA figures suggest 14 per cent of flights leaving from and arriving at London Luton Airport were delayed by at least 15 minutes in March.

It was down from 20 per cent a year earlier, and below the 18 per cent average across 25 of the UK's largest commercial airports.

A total of 7,965 flights left from and arrived at London Luton Airport in March, and they were delayed by an average of eight minutes.

The average flight delay across UK airports was nine minutes in March – down from 12 a year earlier.

And the proportion of flights delayed varied significantly; 24 per cent of flights to and from Newcastle Airport were delayed by at least 15 minutes in March, compared to 8 per cent for Leeds Bradford Airport.

The Union of Pilots, Engineers and Cabin Crew welcomed the declining proportion of flight delays across UK airports.

A spokesperson said the Covid-19 pandemic "materially damaged" the aviation sector, and enduring delays are part of a "long and painful process" to recover from the crisis.

They said: "Airlines across the UK have attacked the issues of delays with the utmost diligence."

But they warned there is a "critical shortage" of pilots and engineers which may affect the recovery from delays, as well as flight cancellation levels.

The figures show 1.8 per cent of flights to and from UK airports were cancelled in March – up from 1 per cent the previous year.

Anna Bowles, head of consumers at the CCA, said: "The majority of airlines have made progress in reducing delays, with the average falling.

"Delays occur for many reasons, and can cause significant disruption and inconvenience to passengers.

"We fully expect that airlines minimise the impact by providing timely information and upholding passengers' rights during disruption."