Air India has been ranked the worst airline for flight delays departing from UK airports in 2024, with passengers facing average delays of nearly 46 minutes per flight, according to an analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by PA news agency, as highlighted by Bloomberg.
The airline, now under the ownership of Tata Group since its 2022 acquisition from the Indian government, saw an average departure delay of 45 minutes and 48 seconds from UK airports. The Gatwick to Bangalore route emerged as the most delayed, with an average holdup of one hour and 23 minutes across 50 flights.
Air India’s operations in the UK span Birmingham, Gatwick, and Heathrow, with services to major Indian destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows the airline increased its UK flights by 56% in 2024 compared to 2019, with plans to boost that figure to 90% in 2025 following frequency enhancements introduced in March.
Consumer advocate Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, slammed the airline’s performance as “completely unacceptable”, echoing frustration among UK travellers over frequent disruptions despite high airfare costs. “These latest delay figures will come as no surprise to travellers,” Boland said. “It’s time for airlines to get their act together.”
Air India responded by citing factors beyond its control for the delays, such as infrastructure and air traffic constraints, and noted improvements made through operational changes. “Proactive operational initiatives like self-check-in, baggage drop, and automated boarding have ensured smoother airport touchpoints,” a spokesperson said, adding that new aircraft like the Airbus A350 and upgraded Boeing 787-9s have already started improving on-time performance in early 2025.
Despite these steps, aviation consultant John Strickland emphasized that Air India is still emerging from a difficult period marked by fleet issues and parts shortages. “They’re coming out of this period of malaise pre-the Tata takeover,” he said. “You can have great meals and a great crew, but fundamentally you’ve got to operate an airline which is punctual and reliable. That’s a work in progress for them.”
Air India was not alone in struggling with punctuality. Aurigny Air Services, based in Guernsey, followed with an average delay of 31 minutes and 12 seconds, while SunExpress and Air Portugal recorded delays of nearly half an hour and 25 minutes respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum, Emerald Airlines topped the list for punctuality, with an average delay of just 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
The analysis considered all airlines operating more than 2,500 scheduled and chartered flights from UK airports in 2024, excluding cancelled flights. The overall average delay across all airlines dropped to 18 minutes and 18 seconds, an improvement from 2023’s 20 minutes and 42 seconds.
Anna Bowles, head of consumers at the CAA, reiterated that while delays can stem from various causes, passengers must be kept informed and their rights upheld. “We expect all airlines operating in the UK to uphold high standards of service and reliability,” she said.
Under UK regulations, passengers on delayed flights may be eligible for compensation up to £520, depending on the route length and whether the delay was within the airline’s control.
The Bloomberg report underscores the ongoing challenge Air India faces in turning around its global reputation—even as it pours investment into new aircraft, service upgrades, and operational improvements.
