The list of the world’s most delayed airlines has been revealed, with TUI Airways standing out as one of the worst performers in terms of punctuality. An analysis of data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows that the airline’s departures from UK airports were, on average, over 20 minutes behind schedule in 2025.
One of the most delayed routes, with an average delay of 46 minutes, was from Birmingham to Zante in Greece. TUI Airways, a part of the TUI Group, operates out of more than 20 UK airports and caters to a significant number of holiday travelers.
The study assessed scheduled and chartered flights from UK airports by 34 airlines that conducted more than 2,500 flights in the past year. Notably, canceled flights were not factored into the analysis.
While Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet had similar performance levels with average delays around 15 minutes, TUI Airways found itself among the bottom five airlines for punctuality.
Addressing the issue, Aage Dunhaupt, TUI Group’s director of communications, emphasized the airline’s commitment to minimizing delays and ensuring passengers reach their destinations, even if it means operating delayed flights instead of canceling them.
Despite efforts to improve, Air India retained its position as the worst-performing airline for the second consecutive year, with an average delay exceeding 36 minutes. Overall, the average delay across all airlines analyzed decreased from 2024.
Flight delays, influenced by various factors, can lead to significant inconvenience for passengers. CAA director Tim Johnson stressed the importance of airlines mitigating delays and upholding passenger rights during disruptions.
Passengers on delayed UK departures are entitled to support based on the delay duration and route distance. Compensation may be claimed if the delay is within the airline’s control, such as due to technical issues or crew shortages.
Several airlines, including British Airways and Scandinavian Airlines, were among the top performers in terms of punctuality, with minimal average delays reported.