Vueling Airlines named as the most delayed airline in the UK
Vueling Airlines is the worst airline for delays when flying from the UK, according to data revealed today.
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The Spanish flyer’s departures were delayed by an average of 31 minutes towards the end of 2018, according to an analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data.
British airline Thomas Cook came a narrow second place, however, with flights from the UK leaving the runway an average of 24 minutes late, Press Association’s look at the data revealed.
Wizz Air, at 23 minutes, and embattled Norwegian Air, at 22 minutes, came third and fourth worst respectively.
Eurowings was the fifth worst airline for delays, with jets racking up an average of an extra 22 minutes sitting on the asphalt.
Overall UK flights experienced an average 16-minute delay last year.
Cathay Pacific Airways was the most reliable airline. Customers experienced just eight minutes of delays per flight.
Vueling said inbound and outbound flights to and from Barcelona were hit by 22 days of strike action at Marseille amid France’s air traffic control strikes.
“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,” a spokesperson said.
“The location of Vueling’s [Barcelona] hub close to Marseille means it has been particularly badly affected.”
The airline flies out of UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh.
Consumer magazine Which’s travel editor, Naomi Leach, said passengers lost both time and money from the worst delays.
“It’s completely unacceptable for passengers to be regularly delayed by nearly half an hour,” Leach said.
“These delays aren’t just an inconvenience but can leave holidaymakers hundreds of pounds out of pocket because of missed connections, transfers and fines for picking up their hire car late.
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“The worst airlines need to ensure they have the staff and capacity to run an on-time service – and that they look after their customers if delays do occur.”
Main image credit: Getty