Lois Larson
Gatwick Airport has been ranked as one of the worst airports in the UK and the world, with issues including poor design, ageing facilities, and delays. In 2024, flights from Gatwick departed on average more than 23 minutes late, with the airport blaming repeated strike action and heavily congested airspace. The airport has also faced criticism for its transportation links, with some passengers experiencing long travel times to and from the airport. While Gatwick has plans for expansion and improvement, it remains to be seen whether these initiatives will address the issues that have contributed to its poor reputation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average delay | 23-27 minutes |
| Worst airport ranking in the UK | First |
| Worst airport ranking in the world | Second |
| Reason for delays | Staff shortages, air traffic control issues, and heavely congested airspace |
| Transport links | Limited late-night transport options |
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What You'll Learn
Poor airport facilities and design
Gatwick Airport has been ranked as one of the worst airports in the UK and the world, with its poor facilities and design contributing to this negative perception.
One of the main issues is the airport's inability to efficiently accommodate rising passenger numbers. With a record 268 million people passing through UK airports last year, Gatwick has struggled to keep up with the demand, resulting in overcrowded terminals and long queues. This congestion is further exacerbated by the airport's outdated design, which fails to optimise passenger flow and often leads to bottlenecks, particularly during peak hours.
The layout of the airport has also been criticised for being confusing and inconvenient. The terminals are spread out, and passengers often need to walk long distances or rely on inefficient shuttle services to get between gates, baggage claim, and check-in areas. This can be especially challenging for travellers with limited mobility or heavy luggage.
In addition to the layout issues, the airport's facilities have been described as dated and lacking in amenities. The options for dining, shopping, and entertainment are limited, and the available services often fall short of travellers' expectations. Cleanliness and maintenance are also areas of concern, with reports of dirty restrooms, broken seating, and a lack of sanitation supplies.
Furthermore, the airport's land transportation links have been a source of frustration for many travellers. While Gatwick does offer train options, including the Thameslink, the frequency and reliability of these services have been called into question. Travellers have reported long waits for trains, particularly during late-night or early morning arrivals, making their journey to and from the airport inconvenient and time-consuming.
Gatwick Airport's poor ranking highlights the urgent need for improvements in its facilities and design. By investing in modernisation, improving terminal layouts, enhancing amenities, and addressing transportation links, the airport can strive to provide a more positive and efficient experience for its growing number of passengers.
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Staff shortages
Gatwick Airport's air traffic control services provider, Nats, experienced staff shortages that directly impacted the airport's operations. These shortages were also felt across continental Europe, affecting Gatwick's ability to manage its already congested airspace. In September 2023, the airport imposed a temporary cap on flights to reduce short-notice cancellations and delays related to these staff shortages.
While Gatwick has worked to address the issue, with a spokesperson claiming the tower staffing problems were fully resolved, the airport continues to face challenges. The airport's expansion plans, including a proposed second runway, aim to increase capacity and improve efficiency. However, the airport has also had to navigate strike actions and disruptions from ground-handlers and refuelers, which further impact operations.
The aviation industry as a whole has been recovering from the pandemic, and airports across Europe have faced similar disruptions due to ATC staff shortages. Airports in the UK, including Gatwick, have been criticized for their slow modernization and adoption of e-passport gates, which has contributed to congestion and delays.
Despite these challenges, Gatwick remains the UK's second busiest airport, handling a high volume of passengers. The airport is working to minimize delays and provide a positive experience for travelers, with ongoing investments planned to modernize infrastructure and improve services.
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Inefficient transport links
Gatwick Airport has been ranked as one of the worst airports in the UK and the world, with inefficient transport links being a significant factor. The airport has struggled with significant delays and cancellations due to various factors, including staffing issues, air traffic control (ATC) problems, and congested airspace. These issues have impacted its reputation and caused frustration for passengers.
While Gatwick does have numerous train options, including the Thameslink to London in about 15 minutes, the overall train connectivity has been criticised for its lack of late-night and early-morning services. One passenger shared their experience, stating that it took them four hours to get home to London after arriving at Gatwick just after midnight due to limited train options. This lack of round-the-clock train services impacts travellers, especially those with early or late flights, who often face lengthy journeys to and from the airport.
The airport's location further exacerbates the issue of inefficient transport links. Situated in West Sussex, outside of London, Gatwick faces the challenge of accommodating a high volume of passengers travelling to and from the capital. The distance from the city centre increases the reliance on efficient and frequent public transport options, which have been lacking, particularly during off-peak hours.
Additionally, Gatwick has faced criticism for its poor design and ageing facilities, which contribute to a negative passenger experience. The airport's layout and infrastructure have been described as outdated, impacting the overall efficiency of passenger movement and comfort. This is in stark contrast to other modern airports worldwide, which have invested in modernisation and improved services.
To address these issues, Gatwick Airport has implemented measures such as a temporary cap on flights to reduce short-notice cancellations and delays. The airport has also worked to resolve staff shortages in its outsourced control tower, which played a significant role in previous delays. However, the airport continues to face challenges, including congested airspace and the impact of strike actions, which have affected its punctuality and efficiency.
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Poor punctuality record
Gatwick Airport has been ranked as the worst airport in the UK for flight delays, with an average delay of 23 to 27 minutes in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, it was reported that the airport had improved its punctuality, but it still struggled with delays due to staffing issues in its outsourced control tower. The airport's air traffic control (ATC) services provider, Nats, faced staff shortages that affected flight operations. These issues were not unique to Gatwick, as airports and airlines across Europe also experienced similar disruptions.
Gatwick Airport has implemented measures to address punctuality issues. In September 2023, the airport imposed a temporary cap on flights to reduce short-notice cancellations and delays caused by staff shortages. Additionally, the airport has worked to resolve tower staffing issues, claiming that they were fully addressed. Despite these efforts, Gatwick continued to experience delays, with air traffic control restrictions in other parts of Europe impacting its operations.
The poor punctuality record of Gatwick Airport has been a persistent issue, earning it a negative reputation among travellers. The airport has been described as "awful" and "the worst airport in the UK" by some passengers. However, others have defended the airport, acknowledging that delays are a common challenge faced by the entire aviation industry.
To improve the situation, the Airport Operations Association has announced a planned investment of £10 billion over the next five years. This investment aims to modernise heavily congested UK airspace and enhance the overall airport experience. Marius Fermi, the UK manager at AirHelp, urged airports, particularly in the UK, to prioritise improvements in quality and punctuality.
While Gatwick Airport has faced significant challenges with punctuality, it is important to recognise that delays can be influenced by various factors beyond the airport's control. These include weather conditions, airspace constraints, and third-party ground operations. Nonetheless, the airport has taken steps to minimise disruptions and improve the overall travel experience for its passengers.
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Lack of modernisation
Gatwick Airport has been ranked as the worst airport in the UK for flight delays for two years in a row. In 2023, the average delay was 27 minutes, and in 2024, it improved slightly to 23 minutes. These delays have been attributed to various factors, including staff shortages in the air traffic control (ATC) tower, ATC restrictions in other parts of Europe, and strike action.
While Gatwick has a range of train options, including the Thameslink to London in about 15 minutes, the airport's transportation links have been criticised. One passenger complained that it took them four hours to get home to London after arriving at midnight due to limited late-night train services.
Gatwick Airport has also faced criticism for its lack of modernisation. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras stated that UK airports, including Gatwick, are "massively behind in terms of services and the speed of modernisation." This assessment is supported by the fact that UK airports have been slow to adopt e-passport gates, which have been widely implemented in other parts of the world.
The Airport Operations Association has acknowledged the need for modernisation and has planned a £10 billion investment over the next five years to improve UK airspace congestion and work with airlines to modernise their operations.
Gatwick Airport has recognised its challenges and attributed its issues to strike actions and congested airspace. The airport is also seeking to expand by bringing its emergency runway into routine use and potentially constructing a second runway. These improvements aim to increase capacity and reduce delays, improving the overall passenger experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Gatwick airport has been ranked the worst airport in the UK for flight delays for two years in a row. In 2023, flights departed from Gatwick with an average delay of 27 minutes. In 2024, this number decreased to 23 minutes. These delays have been caused by staff shortages in the airport's outsourced air traffic control (ATC) tower.
Nats, Gatwick's ATC services provider, has been working to tackle staff shortages. In addition, Gatwick airport has implemented a plan to build a second runway, which is awaiting government approval.
Gatwick airport is accessible by train, with options including Thameslink, trains to Victoria, and trains to London Bridge. These trains run frequently, with a train departing every 5 minutes. However, some travellers have noted that transport links in other European cities, such as Zurich, Munich, and Copenhagen, are superior to those at Gatwick.
In 2024, Birmingham and Manchester airports had average delays of 21 and 20 minutes, respectively. Stansted Airport had the second poorest punctuality record, with an average delay of more than 20 minutes. Belfast City Airport had the best punctuality performance in the UK, with an average delay of under 12 minutes.
