Flight frustrations ...Gatwick is worst for take-off delays

GATWICK was the worst airport for flight delays last year with departures typically almost half an hour late.

- Neil Lancefield

The airport, the UK's secondbusiest, was badly affected by air traffic control staff shortages in its own tower and across Europe.

Last September it resorted to a temporary cap on flights.

Gatwick said it was "working closely with our airline partners to improve performance".

According to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data, planes were on average nearly 27 minutes behind schedule.

Struggled

Luton was the second worst with an average delay of almost 23 minutes with Manchester in third at nearly 22 minutes.

Belfast City (George Best) airport was the top performer with just 12 and a half minutes.