The watchdog said government must work with airports and airlines to ensure hubs and carriers are adequately resourced in future.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland branded the situation, which has escalated in recent weeks, a shambles. He also called on the Department for Transport to give the CAA more stringent powers to sanction airports and airlines.
Manchester airport has perhaps attracted the most criticism, with managing director Karen Smart standing down.
However, issues have been raised at most major UK airports owing to a combination of staff shortages and high levels of Covid infection.
