Air India has received the lowest ranking for UK flights when it comes to delays.
In 2024, the carrier’s flights departing from UK airports were delayed by an average of 45 minutes and 48 seconds, as reported by PA news agency based on Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.
The path with the highest average delay was from Gatwick to Bangalore, where each of the 50 flights experienced an average holdup of one hour and 23 minutes.
Rory Boland, who edits the travel section of consumer magazine Which?, referred to Air India’s performance as “entirely unacceptable.”
The airline stated that the disturbance was “mainly because of elements outside our control”.
Aurigny Air Services, based in Guernsey, had the second-worst punctuality record for UK departures last year, with flights typically delayed by an average of 31 minutes and 12 seconds.
It was succeeded by the Turkish budget leisure carrier SunExpress with a duration of 29 minutes and 36 seconds, and Air Portugal following closely at 25 minutes and 12 seconds.
The Irish airline Emerald Airlines had the strongest showing last year, with flights departing from the UK averaging delays of only 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
The examination considered all planned and leased takeoffs from British airports by carriers that managed over 2,500 such trips in the previous year.Cancelled journeys were excluded.
The typical delay across all these airlines amounted to 18 minutes and 18 seconds, which is a reduction from 20 minutes and 42 seconds recorded in 2023.
In January 2022, Air India was taken over by Tata Group following significant financial losses amounting to billions of pounds. This acquisition came directly from the Indian government.
The airline operates from locations in the UK including Birmingham, Gatwick, and Heathrow, offering services to several Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
According to data provided by the aviation analytics firm Cirium, the airline conducted 56% more operations at UK airport facilities last year when measured against figures from 2019.
It is expected to climb to 90% this year following the boost in flight schedules across multiple routes in March.
John Strickland, an aviation consultant, noted that significant efforts have been made to get the airline back on course following its “reputation decline” due to frequent delays and cancellations.
This issue partially arose due to insufficient funding for acquiring replacement components for airplanes, resulting in part of its airfleet being out of service.
Mr. Strickland stated, “Following their phase of stagnation prior to the Tata acquisition, they must now focus on enhancing their engineering capabilities, workforce management, inventory of spare parts, and other such elements.”
He mentioned that part of Air India’s promotional efforts for their new Airbus A350 first-class offering have emphasized the excellence of their service.
He observed, “While excellent cuisine and a fantastic team are important, ultimately you must run an airline that prioritizes efficiency and dependability.”
“Definitely still under development for them.”
Rory Boland, the editor of the consumer magazine Which? Travel, stated, “The recent data on delays won’t be surprising to travelers, many of whom end up paying exorbitant prices for flights only to receive subpar service.”
Air India experienced an average delay of 45 minutes, which is entirely unacceptable.
It’s time for airlines to step up and begin providing the level of service their customers are paying for.
An Air India representative stated: “In 2024, the airline’s services between the UK and India faced some sporadic delays, largely because of circumstances outside our control.”
“Proactive operational initiatives like self-check-in, baggage drop and automated boarding process have ensured smoother airport touchpoint experience and faster turnaround of aircraft, boosting on-time departures.
The introduction of the new Airbus A350 and improved B787-9 planes on certain UK routes has significantly boosted the reliability of our flights.
During the initial quarter of 2025, Air India witnessed notable enhancement in the punctuality of our direct services between the UK and India, an advancement that is mirrored in our improved NPS (customer satisfaction) metrics.
Based on the distance of the flight path and the duration of the delay, travelers whose flights departing from UK airports are experiencing tardiness have the right to receive support including an adequate supply of meals and drinks, access to communication tools, and lodging for the night if necessary.
Travelers might also have the option to seek compensation amounting to as much as £520 from the airline if the cause of the delay is considered to be under its jurisdiction, such as an issue with the plane or illness of the flight crew.
Anna Bowles, who leads consumer affairs at CAA, stated: “We insist that all airlines operating within the UK maintain superior levels of service and dependability.”
Although most airlines have improved their performance regarding delays, resulting in an overall decrease in average wait times, these hold-ups can still lead to considerable disruptions and inconveniences for travelers.
Delayes happen due to various causes, and we firmly believe that airlines should minimize their effects by offering prompt updates and respecting travelers’ entitlements whenever relevant.
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