Southend tops London punctuality rankings amid sharp passenger growth

London Southend Airport has been named the most punctual airport serving the British capital, following a notable improvement in operational performance over the past year.

According to newly released data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the airport recorded the biggest year-on-year gain in punctuality rankings among all UK airports in 2025, climbing fifteen places in the national standings.

Over the same period, 77.6% of flights at Southend departed or arrived within fifteen minutes of their scheduled time, placing it ahead of its London-area peers.

The improvement comes against the backdrop of significant traffic growth. The airport handled 720,000 passengers in 2025, nearly three times more than the previous year, which also saw it rise from 26th to 22nd position among the UK’s busiest airports.

The figures highlight Southend’s ability to maintain operational reliability despite a sharp increase in demand.

Airport management credits the performance to coordinated efforts across operations, with a focus on maintaining efficiency as volumes rise.

Jude Winstanley, CEO of London Southend Airport, said: “I am incredibly proud of what our teams have achieved over the past year. To triple our passenger volumes whilst moving up 15 places in the UK punctuality rankings and climbing four places in passenger volume standings is a clear demonstration of their dedication, professionalism and commitment. We know how important it is for passengers to fly on time, so this matter. This progress does not happen by chance. It is the result of consistent hard work across every part of the airport. Our teams all work together to deliver an easy, speedy, friendly experience for passengers.”

With both traffic and operational metrics trending upward, Southend is positioning itself as a growing player within London’s highly competitive market, aiming to build on its recent momentum in the coming years.