A passenger checking what time to leave for an early flight, a family working out where to park, a first-time traveller asking how long security takes: the question that used to go to the airport's own website is now put to an assistant, and the assistant answers first. It names a car park, quotes a drop-off charge and states a check-in time before the traveller has opened a single airport page, and it builds that answer from the airport websites it can read cleanly.
Whether that answer is right rests on something no passenger survey will surface: how cleanly a machine can read the pages an airport already publishes. This benchmark measures that across the United Kingdom's airports.
On 1 October 2026 we ran every UK airport that handled at least 100,000 terminal passengers in 2025 through the Crane Index™, our three-scanner AI Readability Suite. Of the 32 home pages we approached, 10 could not be read by a machine at all: 9 refused an automated reader and 1 serve pages that do not exist until scripts run. Of the 22 a machine could read, not one reached 70 out of 100, and the field is led by Cornwall Airport Newquay at 65, with East Midlands Airport next at 56. Every figure here is a first-party measurement, the full dated result set is archived, and we re-run the scan and report the movement.
Skip to the full league table ↓
The sixty-second read
- ▸The finding: 22 of the 32 sites we approached could be read by a machine, and not one of them reached 70 out of 100 on the Crane Index.
- ▸The money: when a buyer asks an engine to shortlist suppliers, an illegible site is simply not on the list. The demand does not vanish, it goes to a legible competitor free, while your paid channels buy it back at a rising cost per acquisition.
- ▸The pattern to watch: in the two flagship studies, the FTSE 100 and the UK's biggest online retailers, one mechanical habit separated the top of the field from the bottom, valid structured data and one identity a machine can resolve. That is a markup sprint, not a rebuild, so a median can move faster than a board expects.
The full ranked field follows. Or test yourself first: the free scanner takes a minute.
Across the 22 readable sites the Crane Index ran from 23 to 65. Not one reached 70, 6 sat between 55 and 69, 7 between 40 and 54, and 9 below 40. The strongest of the three reads was Agent Readiness at a median of 63, and the weakest was Brand Representation at 12, whether a machine can confirm from your own site who you are.
UK Airports
No company in this benchmark matches that name. It may not be in the cohort: run the free Crane Index scan on any domain →
| # | Crane Index™The composite of the three reads: one number for how well a machine can find, act on and trust this site. Ranked highest to lowest. | AI Search ReadinessCan the engines that read the live site, AI Overviews, Perplexity, ChatGPT with search, resolve the company and extract what it sells, to whom? Entity coherence, structured data, extractable answers. | Agent ReadinessCan an automated agent get in and act? Door-open access for AI crawlers, machine-readable actions, operability, discovery. | Brand RepresentationCan a machine confirm from the site who this company is? Identity markup, disambiguation to the real-world entity, authority links, rights signals. | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornwall Airport Newquaycornwallairportnewquay.com | 65 | 80 | 76 | 38 | |
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AI Search · 80 Entity coherence53 Structured data79 Extractable answers83 Readability100 Access96 Agent · 76 Crawler access63 Machine actions71 Operability95 Discovery75 Representation · 38 Identity50 Disambiguation0 Authority links60 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 2= | East Midlands Airporteastmidlandsairport.com | 56 | 60 | 63 | 46 | |
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AI Search · 60 Entity coherence58 Structured data32 Extractable answers50 Readability100 Access78 Agent · 63 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability80 Discovery75 Representation · 46 Identity50 Disambiguation60 Authority links20 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 2= | Leeds Bradford Airportleedsbradfordairport.co.uk | 56 | 64 | 62 | 41 | |
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AI Search · 64 Entity coherence53 Structured data21 Extractable answers67 Readability100 Access96 Agent · 62 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability75 Discovery75 Representation · 41 Identity50 Disambiguation60 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 2= | London Southend Airportlondonsouthendairport.com | 56 | 72 | 87 | 8 | |
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AI Search · 72 Entity coherence14 Structured data57 Extractable answers100 Readability100 Access96 Agent · 87 Crawler access100 Machine actions71 Operability95 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 2= | Norwich Airportnorwichairport.co.uk | 56 | 65 | 79 | 25 | |
|
AI Search · 65 Entity coherence53 Structured data57 Extractable answers50 Readability100 Access87 Agent · 79 Crawler access100 Machine actions71 Operability65 Discovery75 Representation · 25 Identity50 Disambiguation0 Authority links10 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 6 | London Stansted Airportstanstedairport.com | 55 | 60 | 63 | 43 | |
|
AI Search · 60 Entity coherence58 Structured data32 Extractable answers50 Readability100 Access78 Agent · 63 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability80 Discovery75 Representation · 43 Identity50 Disambiguation60 Authority links10 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 7 | Manchester Airportmanchesterairport.co.uk | 54 | 55 | 63 | 43 | |
|
AI Search · 55 Entity coherence58 Structured data32 Extractable answers33 Readability100 Access78 Agent · 63 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability80 Discovery75 Representation · 43 Identity50 Disambiguation60 Authority links10 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 8 | Heathrow Airportheathrow.com | 53 | 58 | 69 | 32 | |
|
AI Search · 58 Entity coherence58 Structured data21 Extractable answers50 Readability100 Access78 Agent · 69 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability100 Discovery75 Representation · 32 Identity50 Disambiguation30 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 9 | London Gatwick Airportgatwickairport.com | 52 | 56 | 62 | 37 | |
|
AI Search · 56 Entity coherence64 Structured data32 Extractable answers33 Readability100 Access74 Agent · 62 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability75 Discovery75 Representation · 37 Identity50 Disambiguation30 Authority links20 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 10 | Glasgow Prestwick Airportglasgowprestwick.com | 51 | 57 | 85 | 10 | |
|
AI Search · 57 Entity coherence14 Structured data57 Extractable answers50 Readability100 Access87 Agent · 85 Crawler access100 Machine actions71 Operability85 Discovery75 Representation · 10 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links10 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 11 | Exeter Airportexeter-airport.co.uk | 48 | 57 | 79 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 57 Entity coherence14 Structured data57 Extractable answers50 Readability100 Access87 Agent · 79 Crawler access100 Machine actions71 Operability65 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 12 | Teesside International Airportteessideinternational.com | 46 | 53 | 77 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 53 Entity coherence14 Structured data57 Extractable answers33 Readability90 Access96 Agent · 77 Crawler access63 Machine actions71 Operability100 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 13 | London Luton Airportlondon-luton.co.uk | 41 | 48 | 68 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 48 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers83 Readability80 Access83 Agent · 68 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability85 Discovery100 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 14 | Edinburgh Airportedinburghairport.com | 39 | 46 | 62 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 46 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability100 Access78 Agent · 62 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability75 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 15 | Aberdeen International Airportaberdeenairport.com | 38 | 44 | 59 | 10 | |
|
AI Search · 44 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability90 Access78 Agent · 59 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability65 Discovery75 Representation · 10 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links10 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 16= | Inverness Airporthial.co.uk/inverness-airport | 37 | 45 | 56 | 10 | |
|
AI Search · 45 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability90 Access83 Agent · 56 Crawler access63 Machine actions0 Operability95 Discovery75 Representation · 10 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links10 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 16= | Southampton Airportsouthamptonairport.com | 37 | 44 | 53 | 13 | |
|
AI Search · 44 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability100 Access70 Agent · 53 Crawler access100 Machine actions0 Operability65 Discovery25 Representation · 13 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links20 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 18= | Kirkwall Airporthial.co.uk/kirkwall-airport | 36 | 45 | 56 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 45 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability90 Access83 Agent · 56 Crawler access63 Machine actions0 Operability95 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 18= | Stornoway Airporthial.co.uk/homepage/9/stornoway-airport | 36 | 44 | 56 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 44 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability75 Access83 Agent · 56 Crawler access63 Machine actions0 Operability95 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 18= | Sumburgh Airporthial.co.uk/sumburgh-airport | 36 | 45 | 56 | 8 | |
|
AI Search · 45 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers67 Readability90 Access83 Agent · 56 Crawler access63 Machine actions0 Operability95 Discovery75 Representation · 8 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals50
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 21= | Humberside Airporthumbersideairport.com | 23 | 21 | 34 | 15 | |
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AI Search · 21 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers0 Readability45 Access74 Agent · 34 Crawler access63 Machine actions0 Operability45 Discovery100 Representation · 15 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals100
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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| 21= | Liverpool John Lennon Airportliverpoolairport.com | 23 | 21 | 34 | 15 | |
|
AI Search · 21 Entity coherence3 Structured data0 Extractable answers0 Readability45 Access74 Agent · 34 Crawler access63 Machine actions0 Operability45 Discovery100 Representation · 15 Identity0 Disambiguation0 Authority links0 Rights signals100
Crane Index™ over time
Measured 1 October 2026. The line builds with each monthly re-scan, so the movement becomes a matter of record.
Verified measurement: the Crane Index™ certificate, scores exactly as published. |
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Invisible by choice: the 10 locked doors ↓
These names have no score for a sharper reason: their sites would not let a machine reader in at all. They refused it outright, gave it nothing, or serve pages that are empty until scripts run, and the crawlers and shopping agents AI engines send live in the same data centres our reader does. One fair caveat, stated plainly: a site that verifies crawlers by network may admit engines it recognises while refusing ours, so they are reported as unmeasured, never scored. But a door bolted against unknown machines is a posture, and it is one the machines now bringing buyers will meet first.
Download this data: the full field as a spreadsheet (CSV), or the same run as JSON and this dated run. Licensed CC BY 4.0, so it is yours to publish and build on with attribution. Every unreadable site carries empty score cells, never a zero.
A low score says a site is hard for a machine to read, not that the business is anything other than excellent at what it does. The 10 sites a reader could not enter are reported as unmeasured, never scored zero. The stakes are on the record: in 2026, Google reported that its AI Mode in Search had passed a billion monthly users, and the machine-readable layer these scanners read is the structured data Google Search Central documents. How to read this table, and the full method →
The full report
The full UK Airports report
The complete ranked field, the sites a machine could not read, the quadrant, the method and the three moves to make first, in one board-ready document. Read it here, or download it to share.
Score your own domain before you brief anyone. The free AI Search Readiness scanner is the same instrument behind this table and takes about a minute. A result below 55 means an engine is already handing your shortlist slot to whoever in your category is legible. Prefer the whole field watched for you? Daily reconnaissance of your domain beside the competitors you choose is £1,600 a year ex VAT.
This benchmark is re-run on the first of each month, every company named and every score re-measurable live, so the movement becomes public record. The top of every measured cohort sits in the leaderboard, and the full programme is at Crane Index™ Research.
Licensed CC BY 4.0. Cite as: The Crane Index™, UK Airports AI readability benchmark, The Crane Consultancy, measured 1 October 2026. https://thecraneconsultancy.com/research/uk-airports-ai-readability/
Which airports are in the field
The field is set by one rule, applied before any airport site was scored: every UK airport that the Civil Aviation Authority recorded as handling at least 100,000 terminal passengers in 2025, as published in the CAA's Annual Airport Data 2025, Table 01.
- Airports in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not included. The CAA table leaves them out, and they are Crown Dependencies rather than part of the United Kingdom.
- The 100,000 line separates the commercial passenger airports from island airstrips and business aviation fields.
- Four airports run by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, Inverness, Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway, have no website of their own. Their official pages on hial.co.uk are what is read.
- The list is reviewed each March, when the CAA publishes the next full year. An airport that crosses the line joins or leaves at that point, and the monthly edition says so.
Every constituent is a UK airport, so the benchmark carries "UK" without qualification.
A page that needs scripts to exist is a page a machine may never see
Airports publish a great deal that travellers need in a hurry: parking and drop-off charges, security guidance, terminal maps, the airlines and destinations served, and how to get there by rail, coach or car. Much of it sits inside booking widgets and live departure boards that are built in the visitor's browser by scripts, rather than written into the page the server sends.
The Crane Index reads what the server sends, as an AI crawler does. An airport whose site sends only a request to switch on JavaScript is reported as unreadable, with the reason stated, never scored as a zero and never quietly dropped. That is not a judgement on the site's design for people. It is a measurement of what a machine assembling an answer can actually read.
Being read is not the same as being understood
The Crane Index scores three behaviours, and anyone can run the same test an engine does:
- Retrieval. Ask an engine a traveller's question about your airport. Does it find your site at all?
- Extraction. Does it pull the car park, the charge and the check-in guidance correctly?
- Naming. Does it name you in the answer, or describe your services while crediting a parking broker or a travel site?
An assistant that cannot read an airport's own pages still answers; it fills the gaps by inference, or from whichever third party it could read. A wrong drop-off charge or an out-of-date security instruction is worse than silence to a traveller who is already on the way.
Any airport can see where it stands in a couple of minutes with the free AI search readiness check, and every figure on this page is derived by the method set out on our methodology page. For airports that want the reading repeated as their pages change through the season, we monitor a single domain for £1,600 a year ex VAT.
Search the Crane Index™
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Type a domain to see whether it is in the Index and where it ranks. If it is not in yet, ask us to measure it on the next monthly scan.
