For a second year in a row, Birmingham topped the list for having the longest average delay per departing flight, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by the PA news agency. 

Figures reportedly show departures from the northern hub were half an hour behind schedule on average in 2022 – twice as long as the previous year. 

Speaking to Sky News, a spokesperson for the airport said the flight industry "fought hard to recover" after the pandemic and operations are now "running smoothly".

"The start of 2022 was devastated by Covid," they added. "Customers using Birmingham airport this summer can expect changes to walking routes as we build our £40m new security hall, set to be ready for June 2024." 

Second on the list were Manchester and Doncaster Sheffield airports each with 29 minutes, followed by Luton (28 Minutes), Gatwick (27 minutes), Bristol (26 minutes) and Cardiff (24 minutes). 

East Midlands posted the shortest average delay time per departure of 13 minutes, with Exeter and Teesside both reporting an average wait time of 14 minutes and Belfast with 15 minutes.

CAA head of consumer Anna Bowles reportedly told Sky News: "Our data tells us that too many passengers faced disappointing levels of delays across UK airports last year.

"It is important consumers experience a high-quality service from both airlines and airports this year. We expect airlines to proactively provide passengers with information about their rights when flights are disrupted."