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19 January 2015 10:50
More flights into and out of the UK were delayed last summer, new figures show
More holidaymakers jetting out of the UK last summer found their plane delayed, new figures show.
The Civil Aviation Authority says 71% of charter flights to and from 10 large British airports were on time between July and September last year. That's a drop from the 79% that kept to schedule in 2013.
The average length of the delay was also longer last year - 18 minutes, compared to 16 minutes before.
It was no better for people on scheduled flights - just 75% were on time last year, while airports managed 80% the year before. The average delay for them went up to 14 minutes from 12 minutes.
The figures showed families off to Orlando, Florida, in the US suffered the longest delays on average, 31.9 minutes.The figures are a reminder of the importance of travel insurance.
That conjures up an image of stressed parents trying to keep their tired kids occupied while keeping an ear out for further information on their flight.
So how can you keep the children happy while trapped in an airport for an unspecified length of time? How to stay entertained when flights are delayed
• Check out the airport thoroughly for family lounges and play areas, many provide them knowing children need something to do while they're waiting for a flight.
• Comics, colouring or puzzle books in your hand luggage can be a life-saver at this moment - if you haven't brought them with you, pick some up from the newsagent at the terminal
• Perhaps check out the food joints for a relaxing adult drink or snack while securing entertainment for the kids via colouring items you can take with you when you've finished.
From planes to passengers, there's plenty to look at in an airport so you shouldn't be short of options. Maybe even give out sweets as prizes.
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
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22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.
09 September 2016
People travelling to regions affected by the Zika virus outbreak should practise safe sex for at least half a year upon their return, health leaders say.
08 September 2016
British Airways is apologising to passengers for delays after an IT glitch hit check-in systems.
07 September 2016
Tiny particles that are breathed in and taken into the brain through air pollution could trigger Alzheimer's disease, research finds.