Top Major Airports with the Worst Delays Worldwide

The World’s Most Delayed Major Airports

When discussing delayed airports, many might think of well-known locations like Los Angeles, Dallas, or New York JFK, especially for domestic travel. However, these airports are not as delayed as the world’s top 10 most delay-prone major airports. Notably, the only airport in North America that made the list in any month of 2017 was Toronto Pearson, but it did not rank highly enough to be considered among the worst for the whole year.

According to data from FlightStats.com, here are the world’s most delayed major airports based on on-time performance percentages:

1. Jakarta, Indonesia: 51.9%

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta is the world’s most delay-prone major airport today, serving over 200,000 flights annually. Despite the modern Terminal 3 added in late 2016, Jakarta still grapples with outdated infrastructure and air traffic control challenges.

2. Mumbai, India: 60.4%

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is also challenged by capacity issues and a significant design flaw, as the domestic terminal is over a kilometer away from the international terminal. This spatial arrangement increases transfer times and contributes to overall delays.

3. Hong Kong: 63.2%

Despite being known for its punctual operations, Hong Kong International Airport faces significant congestion and delays. The dual-hub nature, serving Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines, contributes to its challenges.

4. Seoul, South Korea: 65.9%

Incheon International Airport serves as a major hub for both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Following the recent opening of Terminal 2, there is hope for improved efficiency, yet delays remain prevalent due to the high volume of traffic.

5. Paris, France: 66.1%

Charles de Gaulle Airport is notorious for its delays, with about one-third of departures experiencing some form of holdup. The airport’s outdated design continues to hinder its operations.

6. Frankfurt, Germany: 66.2%

Frankfurt Airport is not just a busy hub; it suffers from delays similar to those at Charles de Gaulle, compounded by its tremendous traffic volume connecting intercontinental flights with domestic services.

7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 66.3%

At klia2, a terminal dedicated to low-cost carriers, improvements were made, yet Kuala Lumpur remains plagued with delays, impacting traveler experiences significantly.

8. Manila, Philippines: 66.9%

Metro Manila’s congestion carries over into its airport operations. Terminals are separated, adding to traveler frustration as expansion efforts seem stalled due to ongoing political issues.

9. Amsterdam, Netherlands: 68.1%

The efficiency of the Dutch is challenged at Amsterdam Airport due to rapid expansion of KLM’s services, leading to significant congestion and delays.

10. London, UK: 70.2%

London Heathrow’s on-time performance is somewhat surprising given the emphasis on punctuality among the British. Continuous modernization efforts, including the addition of the “Queen’s Terminal,” aim to improve these rates, yet challenges persist.