Heathrow closure caused UK’s single biggest flight disruption of 2025, new report reveals

January 12, 2026 – The temporary closure of Heathrow Airport on 21 March, 2025 was the single biggest disruption event in the UK last year, according to new data from AirHelp, the leading air passenger rights organisation.

An unexpected power outage forced the UK’s busiest airport to shut for much of the day, and AirHelp's UK Flight Disruption Report reveals that almost all passengers travelling through Heathrow were affected – with 99% of passengers disrupted and 98% of all flights cancelled – triggering knock-on chaos across the UK and international flight network.

The Heathrow shutdown was the most severe single disruption in a chaotic year for UK aviation. In 2025, nearly one million (940 thousand) flights operated and 36 million passengers – 26% of all travellers – experienced delays or cancellations.

Despite the scale of disruption, millions of affected passengers may not have realised they were entitled to compensation or assistance under UK and EU passenger rights laws.

The report also shows disruption across major flight hubs in the UK, with Manchester Airport ranking as the most delayed airport in 2025, with nearly a third (32%) of all passengers disrupted. On the contrary, Liverpool John Lennon Airport emerged as the UK’s most punctual, with the highest percentage of on-time departures at 83%.

These insights highlight the uneven experience of passengers depending on the airports they travel through, underscoring the importance of knowing your rights when delays occur.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, AirHelp CEO, said: “2025 was a challenging year for UK air travel, with millions of passengers experiencing delays or cancellations. The Heathrow closure in March was an extreme example, but our research shows disruption was widespread, from major airports to smaller regional hubs.

“Many passengers affected may not realise they are entitled to compensation and understanding your rights is more important than ever. Our report is designed to help travellers navigate these situations and ensure they can claim what they are owed.”

For more information on your passenger rights, or to check if you are eligible for compensation, visit AirHelp.co.uk or download the AirHelp app.

Find out more about AirHelp’s 2025 Disruption Report here.

About AirHelp

AirHelp is a travel tech company tackling flight disruptions. Since 2013, it has won compensation for over 3 million passengers with a flight delay or cancellation. 12 million passengers have protected their flights with AirHelp+ Protection, and countless millions more benefit from the expert information freely available on airhelp.com. AirHelp has also just released its new app, which offers real-time flight tracking, disruption alerts, and options for extra protection, download it here!

AirHelp is dedicated to investing in a greener future - it has pledged to plant 1 tree for every 100 flight disruptions and so far, it has planted 198,489 trees. As air passenger rights advocates, AirHelp cares about people, and caring about people also means caring about the planet.

#1 source for flight compensation worldwide

With innovative artificial intelligence and a dedicated team of over 400 AirHelpers, AirHelp makes it easy for any traveller in the EU, UK and beyond to receive up to €600 for flight delays and cancellations. For more information about AirHelp, visit: AirHelp.co.uk.