The UK’s top 10 airports have been named, and Heathrow and Gatwick didn’t even make the top three.
The Telegraph scored the 30 busiest British airports based on almost 40 metrics. Metrics included cancellation rates, proximity to cities, number of destinations, transport links, and average queuing times. Among the top 10 are Aberdeen, Birmingham, Newcastle, and George Best Belfast City.

9. Aberdeen
Aberdeen came in ninth, scoring 816 points. It serves 26 destinations across nine countries, with 75.1% of flights being on time. With over 2.3 million annual passengers, the airport has a 2.71% cancellation rate.
It is the only UK airport with a beer garden and has multiple nearby hotels, but does not have a rail link into the city of Aberdeen.
(Image: Getty)

8. Inverness
In eighth place is Inverness, scoring 817 points. It serves 10 destinations across two countries, with 64.9% of flights being on time. The Airports Council International named it “Best Airport in Europe” in 2024
With just under 800,000 annual passengers, the airport has a 1.83% cancellation rate, no drop-off fee, free unlimited Wi-Fi, and among the cheapest parking charges.
(Image: Getty)

7. Birmingham
Birmingham took seventh place, scoring 819 points. It serves 130 destinations across 40 countries, with 65.7% of flights being on time and average delays of 29 minutes.
With over 12.8 million annual passengers, the airport has a 0.83% cancellation rate, the cheapest airport parking fees in England, and the cheapest train fare into the city.
(Image: Getty)


