Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[TheLocalYokel]

A few more bits that have been added since, on a BBC article
Chairman Roger Lewis said the UK government is going to launch a review into air passenger duty (APD). The Welsh Government want the UK government to go further and devolve the tax for long-haul flights. The UK Treasury said it is committed to reviewing any new evidence from stakeholders on APD. It said it had received the Welsh Government's report and would respond in due course along with the Wales Office.

Not clear whether this means a review into the entire subject across the UK or a limited review dealing with the Wales APD devolution question.

If the latter I wonder if the BRS management will now submit new evidence to try to rebut the new evidence from the WG. I think that the WG's new evidence is an opinion of an aviation analyst that disagreed with the BRS analyst's view on the effects that APD devolution would bring about there. In short, they think the BRS view is over-stated. It's beginning to sound like, "My dad said this so your dad is wrong".

If the former, which I doubt, and APD was abolished across the board in the UK (very unlikely) it would remove any advantage that devolved APD to Wales might bring to CWL, although the removal of APD ought to help the UK aviation industry as a whole. CWL would still benefit from a blanket removal if not quite to the degree as would be the case if Wales had no APD but England still retained the tax.

 

[Jerry]

If the former, which I doubt, and APD was abolished across the board in the UK (very unlikely) it would remove any advantage that devolved APD to Wales might bring to CWL, although the removal of APD ought to help the UK aviation industry as a whole.

I honestly can't see it being abolished UK wide and if it is devolved to Wales then i think the long haul part will probably be the one that is devolved and there is many who believe all of it should be devolved because Wales should be governing it's own affairs rather than any advantage it would give to CWL. There is also the political part in that with Brexit and it's process many feel that the views of the Scottish and Welsh governments are being ignored by Westminster so Long haul APD could be a conciliatory thing from the UK government to the Welsh government as some people feel we are heading to a constitutional crisis.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/nine-key-points-richard-wyn-14192824

Another question that needs to be asked with the short haul APD is who will it actually attract to CWL? Ryanair don't seem to interested in a bigger network at CWL now so would they in the future if APD was devolved? Maybe but maybe not to extent of a big base. I really can't see Easyjet UK basing at Cardiff and would it be enough to attract Jet2? It might help to attract other non based European airlines but who knows and it will of course make the routes and airlines already there more sustainable and profitable which is a good thing. I think the short haul part would make an impact but not the massive impact that as many people think.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm not sure that the promise of a review is any more than a standard tactic of a government that really wants to give the impression of doing something whilst really doing nothing and intending to do nothing. We shall see.

I can certainly see the point of view that the Wales Government should be in charge of its own destiny in those matters that have generally been devolved - taxation being one example - with no input from politicians outside Wales. If APD is fully devolved to Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland that will still leave England under the yoke of Westminster where elected MPs for all the Home Nations will have a say on a purely English matter (indeed the chancellor might be from a non-English constituency - there are recent examples) with no corresponding say by "English' Westminster MPs on matters within the purview of the devolved governments.

Neither situation is equitable nor desirable in my view but that is the crazy, quasi federal situation in which the UK now finds itself.

Anyway, we shall know in the fullness of time if APD is devolved and what advantages it might bring Wales and its main airport in particular.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

renewed our Instrument Runway Visual Range to improve our operation during low visibility.

I notice this was on CWL's press release. Does anyone know to what extent it's been improved? CWL has always been caught out in poor visibility so would be good if this is a significant improvement.

 

[Jerry]

Spotted an advertisement online promoting Wales as a tourist destination for Germans.
View attachment 7353

 

[Jerry]

Some tips on how to spend the day in 7 cities flown from Cardiff Airport this winter.
Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Milan, Munich and Berlin are the cities mentioned.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/special-features/how-spend-12-hours-seven-14176129

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A comment yesterday in another CWL thread reminded me of past complaints that the Welsh Government's ministers and senior officials would regularly ignore CWL and use other airports (invariably LHR) for long haul travel on government business, when there were alternatives via hubs from their capital city's airport.

I remember that Clive, one of the founders of Wales Air Forum who I believe was a highly respected and knowledgeable local travel agent during his working life, berated the government for this practice on many occasions in that forum.

Does anyone know whether CWL is now the airport of choice for such travel now that the WG owns it?

 

[aviatorconcorde]

A comment yesterday in another CWL thread reminded me of past complaints that the Welsh Government's ministers and senior officials would regularly ignore CWL and use other airports (invariably LHR) for long haul travel on government business, when there were alternatives via hubs from their capital city's airport.

I remember that Clive, one of the founders of Wales Air Forum who I believe was a highly respected and knowledgeable local travel agent during his working life, berated the government for this practice on many occasions in that forum.

Does anyone know whether CWL is now the airport of choice for such travel now that the WG owns it?

They probably couldn’t fly business class from CWL apart from via AMS, so felt the need to go to Heathrow.

However, if in future they don’t use CWL they’re going to look VERY silly.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

They probably couldn’t fly business class from CWL apart from via AMS, so felt the need to go to Heathrow.

However, if in future they don’t use CWL they’re going to look VERY silly.

I think that was the point that Clive used to make. AMS was a useful option at times but was often spurned. In fairness to the WG, their answer was that they had to go for value for money as it was from the public purse. Perhaps they will get 'mates' rates' from Qatar as the WG owns the airport.

 

[Jerry]

Anyone know if companies or governments can collect Avios? I do wonder sometimes if the Welsh government has any contracts with any major airlines like BA?

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Airliners.net is of the opinion Flybe will announce something tomorrow. Any ideas? Could be anything.

 

[Jerry]

Airliners.net is of the opinion Flybe will announce something tomorrow. Any ideas? Could be anything.

They have a short video on their Facebook page of a pilot smiling while having his photo taken in a photo shoot. And it says ''Something exciting lands tomorrow. Any guesses?''. It could be anything but some are speculating on A.net that they could be the mystery European customer who signed a letter of intent for 61 C Series with 31 confirmed and 30 options. Personally i'd be very surprised if that happens but the new CEO may want to turn them into an all jet airline and get rid of the props.
It'll probably be something anti climatic like a new uniform for their pilots!

 

[aviatorconcorde]

They have a short video on their Social Media page of a pilot smiling while having his photo taken in a photo shoot. And it says ''Something exciting lands tomorrow. Any guesses?''. It could be anything but some are speculating on A.net that they could be the mystery European customer who signed a letter of intent for 61 C Series with 31 confirmed and 30 options. Personally i'd be very surprised if that happens but the new CEO may want to turn them into an all jet airline and get rid of the props.
It'll probably be something anti climatic like a new uniform for their pilots!

I guess we will find out, I personally think it may be something that has very little effect on CWL, perhaps a new base elsewhere? Can only be good news though.

 

[Jerry]

I guess we will find out, I personally think it may be something that has very little effect on CWL, perhaps a new base elsewhere? Can only be good news though.

I was right! It's a new uniform for their pilots!

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I was right! It's a new uniform for their pilots!

You sure you’re not a flybe insider haha!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I was right! It's a new uniform for their pilots!

Have you bought a lottery ticket?

 

[Jerry]

News

2 FEBRUARY
Over 15,000 set to fly through Cardiff for the Six Nations
The first Welsh home match this Saturday will welcome extra flights with Scottish supporters travelling into Cardiff on airlines including Jet 2 and Flybe from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Thousands of passionate Welsh rugby fans are planning their journey from Cardiff Airport to support the nation in Dublin. Over 30 extra flights are chartered for the Ireland V Wales match on carriers Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Flybe.

The French visit for Wales V France on 17th March will see the biggest influx of fans with over 10,000 additional passengers flying through the airport, on over 85 extra flights with 11 airlines.

Italian rugby fans travelling for the Wales v Italy match on 11th March can enjoy a long weekend in Cardiff, with flights with Flybe from Milan and Rome.

The teams and fans travelling during the tournament will also be able to enjoy the brand new extended departures area, completed by late February that includes a Pharmacy, new Costa Coffee, W H Smith and an extension of the Executive Lounge.

CEO Deb Barber commented:

“Large sporting events such as the Six Nations are always an exciting time in Wales, and Cardiff Airport is proud to be once again accommodating thousands of rugby fans during the tournament. There are some fantastic changes happening at Cardiff Airport, and the Six Nations will provide a great opportunity to showcase this to travelling fans.”

“Cardiff Airport will as always be flying the flag for Wales!”

Scheduled flights operate from Cardiff Airport to Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy;

• Dublin – up to twice daily with Flybe
• Cork – twice weekly with Flybe
• Belfast City – up to twice daily with Flybe
• Edinburgh – up to twice daily with Flybe
• Glasgow – daily with Flybe
• Aberdeen - 5 times a week with Eastern Airways
• Paris – daily with Flybe
• Chambery – once a week during the Winter with Flybe
• Milan – 3 times a week with Flybe
• Rome – twice a week with Flybe
• Venice – twice a week from March 2018 with Flybe
• Verona – twice a week from March 2018 with Flybe

https://www.cardiff-airport.com/new...t-to-fly-through-cardiff-for-the-six-nations/

 

[Jerry]

Looks like Alun Cairns the UK government Welsh Secretary is off on a trade mission to the US. He will begin today a 3 day trade mission to New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. He will be joined by former Cardiff Airport Chairman Lord Rowe-Beddoe and Chief of Staff of Manchester Airport Group Collete Roche.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...visit-to-new-york-new-jersey-and-philadelphia

 

[aviatorconcorde]

Someone has posted pictures on twitter of the new departure area (not the airport). I did see them but now can’t find the tweet again. Looks really good but can’t for the life of me work out what areas have been changed. Perhaps Jerry can chip in?

The Airport has however put pictures on FB of the new selection of goods at WHSmith store.

 

[Jerry]

The pictures of WH Smith are of the new Rimmel of London stand and the Well beauty and health stand.
https://twitter.com/Cardiff_Airport...y|twsrc^android|twgr^copy|twcon^7090|twterm^2
Looking at the photos that looks like it's all to the left after you walk through duty free. I won't be able to see it myself till the end of March so I'll take some photos then. Looks smart and has an open feel to it as well from looking at the photos .
https://twitter.com/ILovesTheDiff/s...y|twsrc^android|twgr^copy|twcon^7090|twterm^2