Passengers face delays on one in four Scottish flights
●Analysis shows punctuality is a growing problem at main airports
Passengers suffered delays on more than one in four flights at Scotland’s busiest airports last year.
Punctuality at Edinburgh and Glasgow has also fallen in each of the past three years.
The slump in time-keeping has accompanied major aviation growth, but the airports said most hold-ups were caused by airlines or factors such as bad weather, strikes and the need to reform congested airspace.
Flights at Edinburgh suffered the most delays in the year to March, according to analysis of official Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) figures by consumer group Which?
A total of 27.3 per cent of its 112,000 flights were more than 15 minutes late – the standard industry measure – compared to 15 per cent in 2013-14. Average delays increased from nine to nearly 15 minutes.
The airport handled an extra million passengers each year over that period – the total has now reached 12.7 million annually.
At Glasgow, 25 per cent of nearly 85,000 flights were late, compared to almost 16 percent three years ago. the
airport has grown from 8 million to 9.5 million passengers.
Average delays lengthened from ten to nearly 14 minutes.
Fewer Aberdeen flights were delayed – 21.5 per cent – but they increased from 19 per cent in 2014-15, the last available. Average waits were up from 11 to nearly 14 minutes.
The CAA, the UK’S aviation regulator, said the industry must do better. Its spokesman said: “Getting to your destination on time is incredibly important to passengers, and any delay causes understandable frustration.
“While it is clear airports in Scotland are getting busier, with more flights arriving and departing and more people passing through terminals, this should not be at the expense of punctuality.
“To ensure on-time performance improves, we expect airlines, airports and air traffic control to work together and address any issues.”
Edinburgh Airport said the problem largely lay elsewhere, and there had been a “great improvement” this year, with far fewer delays.
Its spokesman said: “Ontime performance is important to our passengers and is a measure we monitor very closely. Frustratingly, it is mainly affected by factors outwith the airport’s control.
“We continue to work with our airline and aviation partners to make sure our collective performance is as good as it can be and that we are in the best position to deal with the external issues that affect us.”
A spokesman for AGS Airports, which owns Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said: “Aircraft delays can be caused by a number of factors including weather issues, air traffic congestion, delayed arrivals or technical issues with aircraft.
“In saying that, on-time performance will always be an area of focus and we will continue to work with our airline partners and their handling agents to improve overall levels of efficiency.”
Easyjet said its punctuality had improved at both airports, where it is the largest airline.
However, Ryanair, which is the second biggest at Edinburgh, said major work where aircraft are boarded had caused delays for all airlines.
A spokesman for National Air Traffic Services said: “Delays occur for a very wide range of reasons, the vast majority of which will be totally non-air traffic control related.”
Scotland’s major airports are enjoying a boom time. The growth in passenger numbers has been massive thanks to much hard work attracting new airlines and routes fromwhich many of us benefit. These links also bring many overseas visitors to our shores.
Anyone who hasn’t been to Edinburgh Airport in a while will notice major changes – more shops, eating places, gates – testament to increased numbers of passengers.
But it’s vital that this growth is carefully managed. We report today on how punctuality at Edinburgh and Glasgow has fallen in each of the last three years. Today, around one in four flights will be delayed by more than 15 minutes.
This of course is only part of the story. Delays at check-in, through security, and hold-ups in retrieving baggage after flights are not part of these figures and add to the sense of flying as a stressful experience.
We need our airports to be successful. They are often the first impression for tourists. And they are also vital for our regular business travellers. Growth is welcome, but it must be sustainable and managed carefully.