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easyJet Adds 4 New Winter Routes From Glasgow Airport

by Len Varley June 16, 2024

written by Len Varley

EasyJet, the largest airline in the country, has announced a significant expansion of its offerings from Glasgow Airport for winter 2024.

This route expansion will provide Glasgow passengers with a wider range of destinations to explore, catering to both sun-seekers and city break enthusiasts.

Glasgow Airport (GLA)

Located in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Glasgow Airport (GLA) is Scotland’s second busiest airport, serving over 8 million passengers annually.

It boasts a modern and well-equipped terminal with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes to cater to travelers’ needs before and after their flights.

Passengers can also benefit from excellent public transport links, with connections to Glasgow city center and other parts of Scotland readily available.

Winter Sun and City Breaks Await

EasyJet’s new winter routes from Glasgow offer something for everyone. Travelers seeking warm winter sunshine can choose from the idyllic Canary Islands: Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

These volcanic islands are renowned for their stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and year-round sunshine, making them perfect for a relaxing getaway.

For those craving cultural immersion, the vibrant city of Prague beckons. This historic city boasts stunning architecture, a rich history, and a thriving arts scene.

Visitors can explore the iconic Charles Bridge, marvel at the Prague Castle complex, or lose themselves in the charming Old Town Square.

Marrakech, the “Red City” of Morocco, also joins the lineup. This unique destination offers a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure.

Visitors can explore bustling souks, marvel at the intricate Koutoubia Mosque, or embark on a thrilling desert excursion.

Photo Credit: easyJet

Flight Schedules and Increased Choice

The new routes boast convenient flight schedules, ensuring a smooth travel experience. Flights to Lanzarote depart twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, while Fuerteventura follows suit on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

For those yearning for the mystique of Marrakech, flights operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays throughout the winter season.

Additionally, EasyJet strengthens its year-round network with a regular Glasgow-Prague route, launching on November 7th with flights on Thursdays and Sundays.

This expansion translates to thousands more attractive package holidays available through EasyJet Holidays for winter 2024.

Passengers in Glasgow will have even more exciting destinations to choose from, all at a great value.

Stakeholder Comments

Ali Gayward, EasyJet’s UK Country Manager, expressed his enthusiasm. “We’re thrilled to unveil our biggest winter release ever, featuring a fantastic range of new routes across 11 UK airports.”

“Passengers in Glasgow will now have access to even more exciting destinations, including Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Marrakech, and Prague.”

“This strengthens our position as the leading short-haul carrier and provides our customers with exceptional value and unparalleled choice.”

Glasgow Airport and easyJet reps at Glasgow Airport

Christopher Tibbett, Aero Director at AGS Airports, which owns Glasgow Airport, provided further comment. “We’re tremendously excited about the introduction of these new EasyJet services to some of our most sought-after sun and city break destinations.”

“This enhanced choice and convenience across these four routes will be a welcome addition for our passengers. Coupled with the recent arrival of a sixth based aircraft this year, this announcement underscores EasyJet’s commitment to growing its extensive network at Glasgow Airport.”

“It’s been a stellar year for both the airline and the airport, and we look forward to this successful partnership continuing.”

With over 80 routes across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, EasyJet remains the leading airline in Scotland, offering travelers in Glasgow a world of possibilities to explore this winter.

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June 16, 2024 0 comment

Incident

Glasgow Airport: Heavy Queues Due to UK-wide Incident

by James Field September 6, 2023

written by James Field

In the last few moments, it has emerged that airports around the UK such as Glasgow Airport will be subjected to significant queues due to a UK-wide incident.

As per the Glasgow Times, the airport has said the following in a statement:

“Additional temporary security measures have been put in place by UK Border Force. Understand this is UK wide.”

What Is This UK-wide Incident That Is Affecting Airports Such as Glasgow Airport?

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It is understood that queues at Glasgow Airport have lasted over an hour, with other airports across the UK expected to experience this level of disruption.

The UK-wide security incident could be down to reports from HMP Wandsworth in London that Daniel Abed Khalife has escaped the prison.

As per the BBC, Khalife was awaiting trial after being accused of leaving fake bombs at a military base while serving as a soldier.

Airports around the UK would have imposed this temporary measure that the Glasgow Airport spokesperson has mentioned to prevent Khalife from potentially escaping the country.

At this stage, it is unclear how long these measures will be in place for, presumably until Khalife has been detained once again by the authorities.

It is key to note that it is unclear whether the two incidents are linked, but is looking like the most likely outcome at this moment in time.

This is a developing story. As soon as updates come in, then we will update this article accordingly.

Glasgow, London Heathrow, and Manchester airports are now affected by the ‘national security incident’ via @airlivenet ✈️

Glasgow: https://t.co/GNdFXYTy6e

London Heathrow: https://t.co/piedZRuajq

Manchester: https://t.co/Ds2tpf5iPl https://t.co/HLS9vMiFnt pic.twitter.com/U4p6eaW4rh
— RadarBox (@RadarBoxCom) September 6, 2023

UPDATE #1 @ 1629 UK time – Understood that as well as Glasgow Airport, London Heathrow and Manchester are now affected by the UK-wide incident.

UPDATE #2 @ 1655 UK time – Confirmation has come in that alerts have been issues to UK ports and airports over Daniel Abed Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth:

“An alert was issued by the Counter Terrorism Command earlier today in relation to Khalife through established operational briefing channels to relevant UK police and law enforcement agencies, including those at UK ports and borders”.

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September 6, 2023 0 comment

A Loganair ATR 42-600 aircraft parked outside the hangar.

Airline

Loganair introduces new ATR aircraft to Glasgow Airport

by Len Varley July 3, 2023

written by Len Varley

Loganair, the largest regional airline in the UK, is embarking on a significant fleet upgrade and investment program, introducing its first ATR aircraft to Glasgow Airport.

This strategic move aims to enhance the airline’s operations, offer greater capacity, and provide improved services to passengers.

Replacing the Saab 340

The introduction of the ATR 42-600 aircraft marks an exciting milestone for Loganair, as they replace the older Saab 340s, ensuring enhanced efficiency, increased passenger comfort, and lower operating costs.

Starting from July, the new ATR aircraft will operate on routes connecting Glasgow with Islay, Benbecula, Sumburgh, and Donegal. Subsequently, from August, these aircraft will also serve the Kirkwall and Derry routes.

Passengers traveling on these routes can expect up to a 45% increase in capacity, allowing for greater availability of lower fares.

Moreover, the introduction of the ATRs will facilitate year-round connectivity to domestic and international destinations, further expanding Loganair’s reach through its interline partners.

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Improved cabin experience

One of the notable advantages of the ATR aircraft is its improved cabin experience. Passengers will enjoy larger overhead luggage storage, four-abreast seating, and a quieter and more comfortable flight.

In terms of landing performance, the 48-seat ATR-42 has the same crosswind landing capability as the 34-seat Saab 340s that they will replace.

The benefit lies in the offering more seats on each flight, also bring enhanced capacity to carry cargo and mail in their holds.

The new aircraft also preserve Loganair’s ability to carry domestic pets on its flights – a capability welcomed by many island customers, but which very few other airlines offer.

Additionally, Loganair’s increased hold capacity will enable easier transportation of pets. Remarkably, Loganair is the only UK operator that charges a minimal fee of just £50 one-way for this service, in contrast to the higher cargo rates imposed by other carriers.

Operations commence July 3

The new ATR aircraft will commence operations today, July 3, with its inaugural flight departing for Islay at 8 am. The flight is fully booked, indicating the positive response from island travellers towards the increased seat capacity provided by the ATRs.

This transition to the new aircraft at Glasgow Airport signifies the gradual replacement of the Saab 340s, which have been the backbone of Loganair’s island services since their introduction in 1999.

While some Saab services will continue until the end of the summer, Loganair will soon bid farewell to these aircraft that have faithfully served their Scottish island routes for over two decades.

In addition to the island services, the new ATR aircraft will also operate on the Glasgow to Donegal route and selected flights between Glasgow and the City of Derry.

This expansion of service underscores Loganair’s commitment to improving connectivity and providing efficient transportation options to various destinations.

Jonathan Hinkles, the CEO of Loganair, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this fleet upgrade, highlighting its significance in renewing the airline’s fleet and securing essential air links to Scotland’s island communities.

He emphasized that Loganair’s investment in new equipment has been entirely driven by commercial considerations and has not relied on public subsidies.

Loganair’s introduction of the ATR aircraft to Glasgow Airport ushers in a new era of enhanced connectivity, improved passenger experiences, and increased capacity.

With its commitment to investment and futureproofing air travel, Loganair continues to serve as a vital lifeline for Scotland’s island communities and beyond.

July 3, 2023 0 comment

Airport

Glasgow Airport egg-spects 360,000 passengers across Easter

by Len Varley March 31, 2023

written by Len Varley

Glasgow Airport is busy preparing for one of its busiest periods of the year. According to the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce an expected 90,000 holidaymakers will travel through the terminal for the Easter school holidays this weekend.

Three busy weekends

With Easter weekend falling in the middle of the school break this year, the airport is preparing for three exceptionally busy weekends ahead.

This coming weekend, more than 90,000 people will travel through the terminal and a total of over 360,000 are expected to pass through Glasgow Airport during the entire school break.

Many will be heading to popular sun destinations such as the Canary Islands, the Costas in Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Dubai, which just last week saw the re-introduction of the A380 ‘super-jumbo’ on the Emirates service last week with a seating capacity of over 500.

Passengers are also expected to jet off to a number of city and short-break destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dublin and easyJet’s new Porto route due to start tomorrow (Friday 31 March).

Glasgow Airport preparations

To cope with the three week rise in passenger movements, the Scottish airport look to be well prepared.

The Chamber of Commerce have advised that Glasgow Airport will have extra staff in place to help guide passengers, especially those with young children, through check-in and security.

But it’s not all business, and the occasion will also be marked with pleasure. There will also be entertainment on offer for younger departing passengers this weekend, including a visit from the Easter Bunny, who will be on hand to dish out delicious chocolate eggs.

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Ronald Leitch, Operations Director at Glasgow Airport, said: “This year’s Easter school holiday break is gearing up to be our busiest for years and our passengers will be eager to get away this weekend given there is still a bit of a chill in the air.

“Last year’s Easter getaway came just days after travel restrictions were lifted in the UK and many were still in place across Europe, so there were a lot of nerves for passengers looking to head off on a long-awaited holiday.

“During the next two weeks there will be a fantastic atmosphere in the terminal as we welcome thousands of people heading off to sunnier climes and exciting city breaks, so we want to make sure our passengers enjoy a smooth journey through the airport as they set off on their travels.”

About Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport is one of the busiest airports in Scotland, located about 10 miles west of Glasgow city center. It serves as a hub for many airlines, including British Airways, Ryanair, and EasyJet.

The airport handles both domestic and international flights to destinations all around the world. In addition to passenger flights, the airport also plays an important role in cargo transportation, with a dedicated cargo terminal handling goods such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishable items.

Glasgow Airport is also reminding passengers travelling during the next two weeks to ensure liquids carried in hand luggage are within the 100ml limit to help ensure a speedy security process.

March 31, 2023 0 comment

Oman Air Boeing 737 MAX is heading to Glasgow.

Airline

Glasgow Airport’s Special Visitor is Enroute

by James Field February 9, 2023

written by James Field

LONDON – A special visitor for Glasgow Airport is currently en route: An Oman Air Boeing 737 MAX on delivery from Boeing Field.

The newest Boeing 737 MAX from Oman Air, A4O-MM, is currently on its way to Glasgow as part of a stop-over before the aircraft continues onwards to Muscat at the time of writing (2132 UK time).

From the screenshot provided by RadarBox.com, WY20 is around two hours and four minutes into its flight and is expected to land in Glasgow at around 0400 UK time.

Oman Air, Glasgow & The 737 MAX…

As per data from Planespotters.net, A4O-MM is actually 3.2 years old, having held the test registrations of N1786B and N5573P previously.

This is because the aircraft has been held in storage, partly due to the grounding of the 737 MAX over the years.

With the aircraft re-certified already, this means that Boeing has to sort out its delayed backlog to customers such as Oman Air.

The last 737 MAX that the airline received was in April 2022 (A4O-ML), and it performed the same routing on delivery as A4O-MM is doing right now.

This will be the 12th Boeing 737 MAX delivery for Oman Air, which puts the airline halfway through its order of 25 aircraft.

At this time, it is unclear when the aircraft will depart from Glasgow, but as the crew will need rest, it could be sat there for a day or so before it continues onwards to Muscat.

This is a developing story.

February 9, 2023 0 comment

Airport

Glasgow Airport Jobs Fair offers over 300 job opportunities

by Len Varley January 17, 2023

written by Len Varley

LONDON – Glasgow Airport will host its biggest-ever Jobs Fair this week on Thursday 19 January with more than 320 roles up for grabs.

Over 30 employers based across the airport’s campus will be represented at the event, which will be held on the first floor of the main terminal opposite the entrance to the central search area between 10am and 4pm.

A range of recruiters

Recruitment teams from a diverse range of airport-based or associated partner companies will be on hand to discuss full-time, part-time and seasonal employment opportunities.

Participants include air traffic providers NATS, ground handlers Swissport and Menzies, security specialists ICTS, facilities management partner ABM, catering specialists The Restaurant Group and Select Service Partners.

In addition, Scotland’s airline Loganair will also be in attendance to recruit for a range of positions.

Transport operators First and McGill’s will also be recruiting for a large number of trainee and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) bus driver positions across their networks. A number of the airport’s retailers including World Duty Free and both the Celtic and Rangers stores are also taking part.

A diverse range of job opportunities are available across the airport including air traffic control services, security, retail, facilities management, catering and ground handling.

There are also a number of direct Glasgow Airport Ltd jobs available in areas of the business including human resources, finance, airfield operations and the control centre.

Glasgow airport comments

Ronald Leitch, Operations Director at Glasgow Airport, said: “As the industry continues its recovery we anticipate that we will welcome an additional one million passengers to Glasgow Airport in 2023.

“Having joined the airport 22 years ago as a management trainee, I can say first hand it is a fantastic and exciting place to work.”

“It is a unique and special workplace and there are so many opportunities available to develop a career in the aviation industry.

“I would encourage anyone looking to join the industry to come along on Thursday 19 January to find about some of the fantastic jobs on offer at Glasgow Airport in 2023.”

Representatives from Invest in Renfrewshire and Jobcentre Plus staff will also be present at the Jobs Fair to offer support and advice, while translators will also be on hand to support Polish, Romanian and Ukrainian jobseekers.

Details for interested attendees

Those attending should bring with them an up-to-date CV and valid ID such as a passport of driving license. Given the security requirements involved in working at an airport, many of the roles on offer will require a full five-year checkable history.

Invest in Renfrewshire will operate a shuttle bus service between 30 Causeyside Street, Paisley, to the airport’s jobs fair. To register to use this shuttle service email invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk, or call free on 0300 300 1180.

Complimentary parking will also be available on the day in the airport’s multi-storey car park for members of the public in attendance and will be validated on departure.

Natalie Don, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, said: “I would like to congratulate Glasgow Airport for organising this job fair, with around 30 employers taking part offering a range of full time, part time and seasonal jobs.

“It is great to see Glasgow Airport organising a jobs fair to help recruit new employees and give local residents a chance at finding employment. I would encourage anyone who is looking for a job to pop along and see if there is a post for you.”

For further details on some of the current vacancies visit the jobs section of the Glasgow Airport website or click here.

To register your interest in the Glasgow Airport Jobs Fair email jobsfair@glasgowairport.com

January 17, 2023 0 comment

Airport

Royal Mail To Establish New E-Commerce Hub at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

by James Field June 28, 2024

written by James Field

It has been revealed this week that Royal Mail will establish a new e-commerce hub at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

This is major news for the airport’s cargo operations, which will see significant benefits.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

The New Deal Between Glasgow Prestwick Airport & Royal Mail…

Billy McCrorie / Glasgow Prestwick Airport Terminal via Wikimedia Commons.

It is understood Glasgow Prestwick Airport made a strong offer to Royal Mail through this new e-commerce hub.

Such an offer was made at half of the cost of landing at some UK hubs.

The airport has been focusing on securing cargo business in recent times.

Evidence that substantiates this view is through the £2.2m investment recently made in the following aspects:

Two extra-wide high loaders with 20 & 35 ton capacity respectively.
Heavy-duty pushback tractor capable of handling any aircraft type.
12 new dollies.
New Rapiscan X-Ray machine.

It is clear that alongside the better offer, Royal Mail will also benefit from these facilities at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Both Sides Happy With This Partnership…

Nico Le Roux, Development Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport said the following on the deal signed at Air Cargo China 2024:

“We are confident that our new Fast and Efficient E-commerce Solution will offer customers real cost savings against other UK air cargo hubs, whilst also ensuring they meet their customer delivery-time promise”.

“We are a full in-house operation, from ground handling and warehouse handling, to fire services, and air traffic control, which allows us to offer greater flexibility.”

“Carriers only need to make one call to our operations line, and we take care of everything.”

“This streamlined process is a significant advantage.”

Adding to this was Royal Mail Director of Global Imports Vivian Davies:

“We are excited to be working with Glasgow Prestwick Airport to offer a cost-effective and efficient international e-commerce solution.

“Prestwick has no flight restrictions, congestion, or curfews on both inbound and outbound flights, offering round-the-clock availability, which is key for the fast turnaround needed in the e-commerce sector.

“Royal Mail is the UK’s leading last mile delivery provider offering a fully tracked service ensuring timely delivery within two to three days of parcels entering the UK.

“By partnering with Prestwick, we are confident we can offer our existing and new international e-commerce customers an unbeatable service on both delivery time and cost.”

Overall…

Photo Credit: Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

In conclusion, this represents strong news for Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Royal Mail is a big player in the mail and freight business, so this will no doubt put them on the map further.

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how this new relationship develops, as well as details on flight offerings.

If all goes well, then this deal could get expansive, with the opportunities endless.

It’s all to play for at the Scottish airport.

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June 28, 2024 0 comment

Incident

Manchester Airport: Rare Boeing 747 Diversion from Glasgow

by James Field January 31, 2024

written by James Field

In the last 30 minutes, Manchester Airport has just received a Cargolux Boeing 747 diversion from Glasgow Prestwick, a rare movement for the airfield.

Manchester Airport: Rare Boeing 747 Diversion from Glasgow…

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Cargolux flight CLX25N is a routine scheduled cargo flight between Luxembourg and Glasgow Prestwick, with the affected rotation diverting to Manchester Airport being operated by LX-LCL.

As per data from Planespotters.net, LX-LCL is a 16.7 year old Boeing 747-400 Freighter that started out life with TNT Airways back in March 2007 as OO-THB.

The jet was then handed over to ASL Airlines Belgium in May 2016, before returning to TNT back in March 2016 under the Express subsidiary.

OO-THB then became LX-LCL in April 2019 when it was handed over to Cargolux.

CLX25N departed Luxembourg at 1238 local time today and proceeded on a north-westerly track in the direction of Glasgow Prestwick.

After just one landing attempt, the crew onboard LX-LCL climbed out and tracked south, where the aircraft landed into Manchester Airport.

This diversion is rare for the airport as a Boeing 747 has not operated in or out of the airfield in quite some time.

It is understood the diversion was due to weather, with the METAR at the time of diversion being:

METAR EGPK 311320Z 21028G42KT 9000 -RA BKN020 09/07 Q1009

This METAR at Glasgow Prestwick highlights very strong winds and rain, to the point where it is not within the operational limits of the crew to risk another approach.

It is unclear when the aircraft will continue on to Prestwick from Manchester.

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January 31, 2024 0 comment

Airport

UK Airports Show Improvement in Accessibility, CAA Report Reveals

by Len Varley August 7, 2024

written by Len Varley

The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) latest annual Airport Accessibility report has shed light on significant improvements in UK airports accessibility levels.

The report notably shows standards increasing with no airports are currently ranked in the lowest category. 11 airports rated ‘very good’ between April 2023 to March 2024, although mixed progress was reported across the country.

The UK regulator says that airports must do more to improve the experience of disabled passengers and ensure air travel accessibility for all, especially as demand for accessibility services continues to rise.

Overall Progress to Date

For the first time since 2020, no UK airport received a ‘poor’ rating for their accessibility performance.

This milestone underscores the effectiveness of the CAA’s Airport Accessibility Framework, established a decade ago to drive improvements in accommodating passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities.

The report evaluated airports with annual passenger volumes exceeding 150,000, categorizing them into ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’, and ‘Needs Improvement’ ratings. The results paint an encouraging picture:

– 11 airports achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings

– 12 airports were rated ‘Good’

– Only 5 airports fell into the ‘Needs Improvement’ category

This distribution demonstrates substantial progress in the sector’s commitment to accessibility.

London Heathrow Landing Fees: Why Were They So High? — Photo Credit: Heathrow Airport.

UK Airports: Standout Performers

Several airports have shown exceptional dedication to accessibility:

– Belfast City and City of Derry maintained their ‘Very Good’ status, exceeding targets consistently.

– Cornwall Newquay, East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Newcastle, and Teesside all achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings.

– Glasgow (pictured above) retained its top-tier rating from the previous year.

– Southampton significantly improved its services, elevating its rating to ‘Very Good’.

These airports serve as benchmarks for the industry, showcasing best practices in accessibility services.

Notable Improvements

London Heathrow’s progress from ‘Needs Improvement’ to ‘Good’ is particularly noteworthy. As one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow’s investment in a significant number of accessibility support staff demonstrates the impact of targeted improvements.

Other major hubs like Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London City, and Manchester maintained their ‘Good’ rankings, indicating consistent performance in accessibility services.

Challenges Remain

While the overall trend is positive, the report highlights some concerns:

Increased demand for accessibility services has led to a decline in passenger satisfaction at some airports. The need for continued investment in staffing and equipment was highlighted, particularly during off-peak seasons.

These challenges underscore the importance of proactive planning and resource allocation to meet growing accessibility needs.

Despite overall progress, the report identifies airports still requiring enhancement:

– Bristol, London Gatwick, Cardiff Wales, Liverpool, and Norwich remain in the ‘Needs Improvement’ category.

These airports present opportunities for focused efforts to elevate their accessibility standards.

Gatwick Airport control tower with aircraft in flight in background. — Photo Credit: Gatwick Airport

UK Airports: Future Outlook

The CAA’s approach combines transparency, collaboration, and accountability to drive accessibility improvements. Key focus areas for the future include:

– Targeted support for airports in the ‘needs improvement’ category.

– Encouraging winter investments in staffing and equipment.

– Continued refinement of assessment methodologies.

– Broader implementation of the new airline accessibility framework.

The latest CAA report on UK airports accessibility reveals significant progress in making UK air travel more inclusive.

The absence of ‘Poor’ ratings and the increase in ‘Very Good’ and ‘Good’ ratings demonstrate the effectiveness of the CAA’s framework and the industry’s continued commitment to improvement.

However, challenges remain, particularly in meeting growing demand for accessibility services and maintaining high standards across all airports. As the aviation sector continues to recover and grow post-pandemic, maintaining focus on accessibility will be crucial.

The CAA’s multifaceted approach, combining rigorous assessment, stakeholder engagement, and transparent reporting, provides a solid foundation for continued progress.

By addressing current challenges and building on successes, the UK aviation industry can work towards a future where air travel is truly accessible for all passengers, regardless of their mobility or disability status.

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August 7, 2024 0 comment

Travel

Which UK Airports Have the Worst Traffic Jams? A Guide for Travelers

by Len Varley July 5, 2024

written by Len Varley

Are you planning a trip and wondering which UK airports to avoid long queues and traffic jams? Feeling flustered figuring out how early you need to arrive?

This article reveals a recent study by claims.co.uk that will help you make informed decisions and navigate your airport experience like a seasoned traveler.

The study ranked airports based on a combination of factors that can significantly impact your travel time:

Yearly passenger numbers: This directly affects security queue wait times. More passengers typically mean longer queues.
Security queue wait times: This is a crucial factor to consider, especially if you’re prone to pre-flight jitters.
Local traffic data surrounding the airport: Getting to the airport on time is equally important. Heavy traffic around the airport can significantly delay your arrival.

By considering this information, you can estimate how early you need to arrive at the airport to ensure a smooth travel experience.

So which UK airports have the worst traffic jams? We take a look at the study findings.

Which UK Airports Have the Worst Traffic Jams?

London Heathrow

Taking the crown for the most challenging airport is London Heathrow. With a whopping 79.15 million passengers passing through annually, it’s easy to understand why.

That’s more flyers than the entire population of London itself! Security queues average a wait time of 20 minutes.

Heathrow is best suited for passengers who arrive early to account for potential delays caused by heavy traffic in the surrounding area.

The study estimates that roughly 3.17 million vehicles navigate the area each year, so factor this in when planning your route.

If you are based near London Heathrow and you are wanting to find cheap flights to the U.S, then take a look at some of the deals in this article. — Photo Credit: London Heathrow.

Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport follows closely behind with a score of 54.9. Passengers face longer waits both inside and outside the airport.

This can be attributed to a combination of 11.48 million yearly passengers and 2.64 million vehicles in the vicinity.

Security queues average 24 minutes, and new security equipment might lead to further delays this summer.

If you’re flying out of Birmingham, be sure to check with the airport for any updates on wait times and adjust your arrival time accordingly.

Birmingham Airport Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Figures For First Time — Photo Credit: Birmingham Airport.

Bristol Airport

Coming in third is Bristol Airport. Despite its smaller size (9.91 million passengers annually), it scores high due to heavy traffic (2.26 million vehicles) and a long average security queue wait time of 30 minutes.

While Bristol might seem like a more relaxed option compared to London Heathrow, it’s still wise to be prepared for potential delays.

Airports with a Smoother Travel Experience

Scottish Airports

If you’re looking for a more relaxed travel experience, you’ll probably enjoy flying out of Scotland. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow International Airports boast some of the quickest security queues in the UK.

Wait times here averaged a fairly breezy 16 and 13 minutes respectively. On top of that, these airports typically experience less traffic congestion.

London City Airport

For a truly stress-free start to your trip, consider London City Airport if it’s a possibility. It boasts the fewest passengers with a mere 3.43 million annually. Coupled with the relatively light traffic (2.07 million vehicles), this makes for a short security queue wait time of only 12 minutes.

This makes it a perfect option for travelers seeking a more boutique airport experience.

Travel Tips

While arriving early is important, striking a balance is key. The study revealed that extremely early arrivals at Birmingham Airport, for example, can contribute to congestion. This can actually slow things down for everyone.
A good rule of thumb is to aim to arrive three hours before your flight for airports on the “challenging” list. This will give you ample time to navigate potential delays, check in, and relax before your flight.
Don’t waste precious vacation time feeling flustered! Utilize the extra time for leisurely browsing in duty-free shops or unwinding at a cafe with a good book.
Stay informed! Check local news and social media for updates on queue times on your flight day. This will give you a real-time picture of the situation at the airport and help you adjust your plans accordingly.
Follow your airline’s advice and head to your gate as soon as it opens. This will help you avoid any last-minute stress and ensure you board on time.

By following these tips and considering the information in this guide, you can navigate UK airports with confidence and ensure a stress-free start to your travels.

So, which UK airports have the worst traffic jams? Remember, a little planning goes a long way, so take charge and make your next airport experience a breeze!

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July 5, 2024 0 comment

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