A major airport has topped the list for the most delayed flight routes out of the UK. Brits looking to jet abroad this summer face being grounded by strikes, which could cancel or delay a third of all flights.
More than 12,600 flights to Europe could be at risk each day as air traffic controllers walkout over pay and rotas.
Destinations affected are likely to include hotspots in Spain and Italy.
Research from delay compensation experts Bott and Co has now revealed the more likely flights to stay on the tarmac – with one airport taking the top five routes that have experienced the most delays.
Flights from Gatwick to Dublin were the most delayed since the start of April 2022, with 82 held up past the scheduled departure time.
Milan and Barcelona were next on the list with 76 and 64 delays out of Gatwick respectively, followed by Palma (58) and Malaga (52).
.Manchester came sixth on the list with 47 delayed flights on its scheduled route to the capital of Majorca, and Birmingham also made the top 10.
The Midlands airport saw 41 of its trips to Dublin delayed over the 15-month period.
But overall Gatwick dominated the list, with routes to Nice on the French Riviera (46), Faro in Portugal (39) and Rome (38) also earning a place in the top 10.
Coby Benson, Flight Delay Compensation Solicitor at Bott and Co, said: “London Gatwick earned the unfortunate ‘honour’ of having all of the top five routes that have experienced the most delays.
“Obviously some of this is down to the volume of flights heading out of Gatwick compared to some of the smaller UK airports.
”But the numbers are still food for thought for anyone booked on a flight out of the transport hub south of the nation’s capital.”
He urged passengers to claim back compensation if they are delayed by more than three hours.
Mr Benson said: “Around 20 million passengers are set to leave the UK over the next two months, so there are bound to be some delays for a host of reasons.
“But aviation experts are predicting that an increase in the number of travellers, plus strike action, will cause severe hold-ups and much longer journey times for many people looking to get away from much-needed rest and relaxation.
”Despite the very real prospect of getting stuck, millions of Brits still aren’t aware that they could be entitled to compensation.
”If the delay is more than three hours they could claw back up to £520 per person.”
The figures come after an industry source hinted that strike action by Eurocontrol staff is planned when UK schools break up around July 21.
A spokesman for Eurocontrol said: “Eurocontrol is making every effort to keep negotiations open.”
Stuart Wingate, the chief executive of Gatwick, earlier said that potential strikes by air traffic controllers were the biggest challenge over the next few weeks.
He added that plane companies and airports had suffered because of recent, repeated strikes by air traffic controllers in France.
Mr Wingate said: “What you see with French strikes is that they affect almost every movement from the UK.”
Consumer watchdog Which? Travel advises holidaymakers to have travel insurance from the date they book their holiday, and also check policies carefully to ensure it covers them in the event of cancellations due to strike action.
Jo Rhodes, the deputy editor, said: “Travellers are understandably worried by reports that up to a third of European holidays could be impacted by air traffic control strikes.
“This summer is set to be one of the busiest in recent history, and it’s essential that airlines and airports work together to keep travellers updated on any potential issues.
“While compensation is not likely to be payable in these circumstances, airlines must fulfil their legal obligations to passengers in the event of cancellations or delays.”
