Manchester Airport鈥檚 flight cancellation rate fell in 2024 compared to 2023, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data. In 2024 one per cent of flights were cancelled, dropping from 1.33 per cent in 2023. In 2024, 1,918 services from the airport were grounded, compared to 2023, when CAA data suggests 2,319 flights were cancelled across the year. This amounts to 401 fewer flights being axed, year on year. The analysis, conducted by flight compensation specialists, AirAdvisor was based on scheduled departures from the 20 busiest airports by total passenger traffic in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. At all UK airports, the average flight cancellation rate was 1.46 per cent, down from 1.78 per cent in 2023. At major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, cancellation rates fell significantly, year-on-year. While the data is insightful, it鈥檚 important to note that cancelled flights are outside of the airport鈥檚 control. Southampton airport was found to have the highest rate of cancelled flights, but it also handles a significant number of domestic flights, along with Belfast and London City airports which also ranked high in the list. A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “We work closely with airlines and their ground handling agents to do everything in our power to help airlines avoid cancellations and disruption. This data reflects the fact that the overwhelming majority of flights from Manchester Airport operate on time. 鈥淏ut flight schedules can be affected by a number of factors, most of which are outside of airports鈥 control, such as adverse weather , air traffic control issues elsewhere or operational challenges faced by our airlines or their handling agents. As such we recommend passengers treat research like this with caution, as ranking airports according to cancellations or delay rates is inherently misleading.鈥 Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, said:鈥淢anchester Airport鈥檚 flight cancellation rate fell significantly in 2024 compared to 2023 鈥 placing its rate among the lowest of major airports in the UK, which should be applauded. 鈥淚t鈥檚 promising to see cancellations falling at most UK airports in 2024 – and this is reflected by the average cancellation rates at all airports decreasing too. 鈥淭he UK aviation industry is still in recovery mode after the Covid pandemic, however there is light at the end of the tunnel. Post-pandemic, we saw a huge boom in travel, with many airports and airlines simply unprepared for the surge in consumer appetite for journeys by air. 鈥淭hey were caught out in terms of staffing and resources, which led to delays and cancellations spiking in 2022 and 2023, compared to pre-Covid levels. 鈥淔ortunately, British air passengers are protected by comprehensive legislation that entitles you to up to 拢520 in compensation if your flight to or from the UK, or with a UK or EU-based airline is cancelled with less than two weeks鈥 notice, depending on the circumstances that led to the cancellation.鈥 For more of today’s top stories, click here.