The top-scoring airports were Belfast International, Belfast City, City of Derry, Humberside, London Southend, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay Cornwall, Norwich and Southampton.

Only one airport, Edinburgh, was rated as "poor" in the performance report.

The Civil Aviation Authority said it is committed to driving improvements through its new performance framework – the first of its kind in Europe – is intended to help ensure consistently high quality assistance at UK airports.

The report’s findings show that 85% of passengers who use assistance are either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their experience.

The measures the airports were rated on included how long passengers have to wait for assistance on departure and arrival; the levels of passenger satisfaction with the assistance provided; and how much consultation airports have with disability organisations regarding assistance.

Under European regulations, airports and airlines must provide help and support to disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility, to better enable this group of people to travel by air.

The new framework, established between 2015 and 2016, will also help the CAA identify dips in performance so that it can act quickly and work with airports to ensure that the issues are addressed effectively.

If necessary the CAA can also take enforcement action to ensure services are improved for passengers.

Airports with performance ratings very good or good, and those that have ‘taken steps’ to improve performance, account for 97% of all travellers that use the assistance service at airports.

The CAA’s head of consumer enforcement, Matthew Buffey, said:

“Our research shows passenger satisfaction with special assistance at UK airports is high with 85% satisfied or very satisfied.

“However, high standards are not always universal, and occasionally things go wrong for disabled people and those with reduced mobility.

“These passengers are very much dependent on airport staff providing the appropriate assistance so it’s a really important task for airports to get right.

“We have worked closely with airports to help drive improvements and provide practical guidance where needed.

“Overall we are pleased that performance has generally been good, with some excellent examples of airports supporting their passengers who have mobility needs.

“Providing a consistently high quality assistance service to disabled people and those with reduced mobility should be a top priority for the senior management of UK airports, and we do not expect standards to slip.

“To ensure that this is the case, we will continue to monitor performance standards and, where any issues do arise, take action quickly to protect the rights of disabled people and those with reduced mobility.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh airport said: "Since the findings of this report were collected six months ago we have – as noted in the report – taken great steps to improve in this area including brining in OmniServ who won a three-year contract to undertake the provision of services for PRM’s (Persons with Reduced Mobility).

"Edinburgh airport is absolutely committed to continuing to improve the passenger experience of everyone who uses the airport, including those with a disability and those with reduced mobility.”

Mark Beattie, director of operations at George Best Belfast City airport, said: “Providing the best possible assistance to all our passengers, including those with mobility restrictions, is of the utmost importance to Belfast City airport.

“As such, we are delighted that the CAA has recognised our efforts to consistently provide a high level of assistance, maintain regular consultations with disability organisations and to publish up to date information on our website.

“We look forward to working closely with the CAA in the future to maintain this standard of support.”

Glyn Jones, chief executive of Stobart Aviation, which operates London Southend airport, said: “Providing a consistently high quality assistance service to disabled people and those with reduced mobility is a top priority for us, and forms part of our wider commitment to providing a unique high level of customer service to every single one of our passengers.”