The latest rankings have identified the world’s most delayed airlines. TUI Airways, a prominent British carrier, has been highlighted for its poor punctuality on certain routes, including one with an average delay exceeding 45 minutes. According to data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), TUI Airways’ UK departures were typically delayed by over 20 minutes in 2025, with the Birmingham to Zante route being the worst performer with an average delay of 46 minutes.
TUI Airways, a part of the TUI Group and one of the UK’s major holiday operators, serves numerous airports across the country. The analysis of airline punctuality considered over 2,500 flights by 34 airlines, excluding canceled flights from the calculations.
Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet demonstrated similar performance levels, each experiencing average delays of around 15 minutes. Aage Dunhaupt, TUI Group’s communications director, emphasized the company’s commitment to minimizing delays and ensuring operational efficiency to benefit passengers.
While TUI Airways ranked fifth among the least punctual airlines, Air India maintained its position as the poorest performer for the second consecutive year, with an average delay of 36 minutes and 36 seconds. The overall average delay for all airlines assessed was 14 minutes and 48 seconds, a slight improvement from the previous year.
Flight delays are attributed to various factors, both internal and external to airlines. CAA Director Tim Johnson stressed the importance of mitigating disruptions for passengers and highlighted the regulations in place to protect passenger rights and provide necessary support during delays.
Passengers departing from UK airports on delayed flights are entitled to assistance based on the distance and duration of delays, including provisions for food, communication access, and accommodation when needed. Compensation up to £520 may be claimed by passengers if the delay is deemed within the airline’s control, such as technical issues or crew-related problems.
