Does anyone know if statistics are published for the average stacking delays at each UK airport. I'm not sure what might be measured - perhaps the number of times on average that aircraft are required to circulate before landing? Also, does anyone ever publish the average number of minutes planes must wait before takeoff at each airport, and whether there are also significant delays waiting to get from the runway to the stand.

I'm sure that the airlines themselves must have some knowledge of these figures, for example Ryanair must have made a decision that the levels of ground and air delays are acceptable at Gatwick, whereas they will presumably still never touch Heathrow with a barge-pole (not that they'd be likely to get slots there anyway).

I would like to use such evidence as part of the case in favour of the IPF at Coventry airport. Whilst I can get hold of most of the statistics I need to back up the case, this level of detail does not appear to be so widely published.

The crux of my argument is that growth at regional airports should be encouraged over growth at congested hubs, as the environmental impacts will be lower. However, other forum members may argue that growth should be concentrated at existing hubs, which are perhaps better served by public transport.

I don't know if any full study has ever been done on this (environmental impacts of big hub with plenty of transport options v small, uncongested airport with little public transport), but would certainly be interested in hearing other opinions.