Flight delays and cancellations down this summer
Flight delays and cancellations dropped this summer, with particular improvement from Monarch Airlines.
Although Monarch operated almost 2,500 additional flights in 2013, it managed to cut the number of affected flights by more than half to 301 flights, or 1.2% of the total.
The performance of the UK’s seven largest airlines from April 1 to October 31 was studied by EUclaim for flight compensation solicitors Bott & Co.
EUclaim looked at how many flights were affected by a cancellation or delay of more than 180 minutes.
Overall there were 6,600 affected flights during summer 2012, compared to 6,239 in summer 2013, a reduction of 5.47%.
Thomas Cook had the highest percentage of delays and cancellations (2.51%), but a spokesman claimed it doesn’t cancel flights and works hard to minimise any delays that sometimes unfortunately occur.
"This summer, more of our flights departed within the industry standard 15 minute measure than for over five years, with over 200 less flights arriving over three hours late in summer 2013 than in summer 2012," he said.
Meanwhile, Ryanair had the lowest percentage at 0.51%.
Compared to 2012, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Jet2 and BA saw a drop in the number of affected flights, whilst easyJet remained stable.
Ryanair and Thomsonfly both saw an increased number of delays and cancellations.
The data also revealed the worst destination for each of the top seven airlines (see the table below).
"What is clear from the data is that European Commission Regulation 261/2004 is working and as a result airlines are improving in reducing the number of flights that are delayed or cancelled," said Bott & Co technical legal manager Coby Benson.
"I hope that airlines continue to ensure that they operate on time and with minimal inconvenience to air passengers."
The table below shows the percentage of cancellations and delays in 2012, followed by the percentage of cancellations and delays in 2013, and the worst affected destinations in 2013 for each airline.
Airline 2012 2013 Worst destination
Monarch Airlines 2.92% 1.20% Palma de Mallorca
Thomas Cook Airlines 2.84% 2.51% Tenerife
Jet2 1.72% 0.64% Alicante
British Airways 1.41% 1.21% New York
Thomsonfly 0.81% 0.90% Arrecife
EasyJet 0.61% 0.61% Palermo
Ryanair 0.34% 0.51% Las Palmas
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026