Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[Jerry]

This is from the Welsh government website and their priorities for Cardiff Airport. Have to ask are they succeeding at them?

Our key priorities for the airport are to:

• support Cardiff Airport to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on the business and wider industry
• work with the UK Government and the Jet Zero initiative, as well as with Cardiff Airport, to reduce the environmental impacts of aviation
• develop Cardiff Airport to enable Welsh-based passengers to fly from closer to home
• operate to a high standard providing the best experience for passengers and airlines
• create an environment to encourage growth of airlines and commercial partners
• maximise the opportunity for the benefit of Wales’ economy and businesses
• achieve financial stability and operation of the airport
• continue to explore opportunities to better connect Cardiff and Wales with the rest of the UK and Europe
• support the St Athan-Cardiff Enterprise Zone

Cardiff Airport: our role | GOV.WALES

We purchased and continue to support Cardiff Airport to benefit Wales, tourism and economic development.

www.gov.wales

 

[MrFenner]

This is from the Welsh government website and their priorities for Cardiff Airport. Have to ask are they succeeding at them?

Our key priorities for the airport are to:

• support Cardiff Airport to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on the business and wider industry
• work with the UK Government and the Jet Zero initiative, as well as with Cardiff Airport, to reduce the environmental impacts of aviation
• develop Cardiff Airport to enable Welsh-based passengers to fly from closer to home
• operate to a high standard providing the best experience for passengers and airlines
• create an environment to encourage growth of airlines and commercial partners
• maximise the opportunity for the benefit of Wales’ economy and businesses
• achieve financial stability and operation of the airport
• continue to explore opportunities to better connect Cardiff and Wales with the rest of the UK and Europe
• support the St Athan-Cardiff Enterprise Zone

Cardiff Airport: our role | GOV.WALES

We purchased and continue to support Cardiff Airport to benefit Wales, tourism and economic development.

www.gov.wales

In short to your question Jerry, no.

Sadly not.

Wonder who monitors these priorities, when they’re measured and against what criteria!?

 

[Jerry]

In short to your question Jerry, no.

Sadly not.

Wonder who monitors these priorities, when they’re measured and against what criteria!?

Well I know the Senedd public accounts committee scrutinises the airport and government a lot but really there should be some sort of deputy minister in transport/economy who should be covering aviation related matters in my opinion.

 

[geoff]

The aviation sector in Wales, is one of the largest employers, Airbus, Air FIN, GE, British Airways, Caredav, E Cube, Global Trek, besides the airport itself, certainly needs someone in Authority, to ensure the aviation sector is given the opportunity to move forward successfully, and profitably, for the benefit of Wales and its people.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

This is from the Welsh government website and their priorities for Cardiff Airport. Have to ask are they succeeding at them?

Our key priorities for the airport are to:

• support Cardiff Airport to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on the business and wider industry
• work with the UK Government and the Jet Zero initiative, as well as with Cardiff Airport, to reduce the environmental impacts of aviation
• develop Cardiff Airport to enable Welsh-based passengers to fly from closer to home
• operate to a high standard providing the best experience for passengers and airlines
• create an environment to encourage growth of airlines and commercial partners
• maximise the opportunity for the benefit of Wales’ economy and businesses
• achieve financial stability and operation of the airport
• continue to explore opportunities to better connect Cardiff and Wales with the rest of the UK and Europe
• support the St Athan-Cardiff Enterprise Zone

Cardiff Airport: our role | GOV.WALES

We purchased and continue to support Cardiff Airport to benefit Wales, tourism and economic development.

www.gov.wales

This was first published in 2018, and then updated at the end of May this year. So i guess it might be worth analysing if they had achieved any of that prior to Covid.

• support Cardiff Airport to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on the business and wider industry N/A prior to 2018. Post 2020 - Wizz? Some small Ryanair growth, despite the loss of some routes that existed before covid. Aer Lingus and Loganair? Nothing to get excited about.
• work with the UK Government and the Jet Zero initiative, as well as with Cardiff Airport, to reduce the environmental impacts of aviation - Aside from a few public announcements I don't think I've seen anything specific to this?
• develop Cardiff Airport to enable Welsh-based passengers to fly from closer to home. Prior to Covid things were on the up at 1.6m passengers, so I would say yes. Post covid seems to have been a real struggle
• operate to a high standard providing the best experience for passengers and airlines. Lots of people praise CWL for it's customer experience and friendliness.
• create an environment to encourage growth of airlines and commercial partners. Prior to Covid - Yes. Post Covid - It's been a struggle.
• maximise the opportunity for the benefit of Wales’ economy and businesses. Prior to Covid - Yes. I think Flybe and Qatar would have had a positive effect on Wales economy. Post Covid - It's been another struggle
• achieve financial stability and operation of the airport. Prior to Covid - Things were on the up. Post Covid - No
• continue to explore opportunities to better connect Cardiff and Wales with the rest of the UK and Europe. Prior to Covid - Connections were good with routes from Flybe and Qatar amongst other. Post covid - No
• support the St Athan-Cardiff Enterprise Zone. St Athan seems to be doing well but not heard anymore on expansion there.

 

[Jerry]

This was first published in 2018, and then updated at the end of May this year. So i guess it might be worth analysing if they had achieved any of that prior to Covid.

• support Cardiff Airport to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on the business and wider industry N/A prior to 2018. Post 2020 - Wizz? Some small Ryanair growth, despite the loss of some routes that existed before covid. Aer Lingus and Loganair? Nothing to get excited about.
• work with the UK Government and the Jet Zero initiative, as well as with Cardiff Airport, to reduce the environmental impacts of aviation - Aside from a few public announcements I don't think I've seen anything specific to this?
• develop Cardiff Airport to enable Welsh-based passengers to fly from closer to home. Prior to Covid things were on the up at 1.6m passengers, so I would say yes. Post covid seems to have been a real struggle
• operate to a high standard providing the best experience for passengers and airlines. Lots of people praise CWL for it's customer experience and friendliness.
• create an environment to encourage growth of airlines and commercial partners. Prior to Covid - Yes. Post Covid - It's been a struggle.
• maximise the opportunity for the benefit of Wales’ economy and businesses. Prior to Covid - Yes. I think Flybe and Qatar would have had a positive effect on Wales economy. Post Covid - It's been another struggle
• achieve financial stability and operation of the airport. Prior to Covid - Things were on the up. Post Covid - No
• continue to explore opportunities to better connect Cardiff and Wales with the rest of the UK and Europe. Prior to Covid - Connections were good with routes from Flybe and Qatar amongst other. Post covid - No
• support the St Athan-Cardiff Enterprise Zone. St Athan seems to be doing well but not heard anymore on expansion there.

It does show how much Covid has put the airport back to almost like it's had to start from scratch.

 

[Aviador]

It does show how much Covid has put the airport back to almost like it's had to start from scratch.

So any ideas why that is when so many other airports seem to just bounce back?

 

[Jerry]

So any ideas why that is when so many other airports seem to just bounce back?

Good question.
I think we need to look at airports that are more in Cardiff's passenger numbers range under 3 million passengers a year. In 2019 these were the passenger numbers for those airports. 2023 passenger numbers are the ones to the right in red with the percentage of passengers compared to 2019.
Southend 2,035,535 146,072 7.1%
Aberdeen 2,912,883 2,229,918 76.5%
Belfast City 2,455,259 2,115,153 86.1%
Bournemouth 803,307 950,206 118.2%
Cardiff Wales 1,656,085 838,574 50.6%
City of Derry 203,777 154,486 75.8%
Doncaster Sheffield 1,407,862 Closed
Exeter 1,021,784 433,067 42.3%
Humberside 204,463 136,976 66.9%
Inverness 938,232 802,338 85.5%
Newquay 461,478 408,870 88.6%
Norwich 530,328 357,852 67.4%
Prestwick 640,055 524,880 82%
Southampton 1,781,457 754,931 42.3%
Teesside 150,735 226,557 150.3%

Is it a coincidence that 4 airports that had a significant Flybe presence haven't recovered their passenger numbers anywhere near their 2019 numbers and 1 has even closed? One factor with Cardiff is that the domestic passengers have plummeted, in 2019 there were 224,207 domestic passengers in 2023 it was 69,784. Edinburgh comprised 111,415 49.6% of 2019 numbers. In 2023 Edinburgh was 20,320 passengers.
Also the airport hasn't really replaced Thomas Cook either, well it did in a way but we all know what happened with Wizz! The challenge for CWL really is to get Ryanair to base or at least have a significant non based presence. I suppose the question is what can the Welsh government do to help with that?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

I think geography and available airlines plays a big part of it as well.
Jet2 are opening Bournemouth, which although probably falls partly into Bristol and Gatwicks catchment, has untapped potential. Despite Jet2 stating they don't have any intentions of any more bases in the near future, I can still see CWL eventually getting some luck there.
Exeter has suffered at the hands of Bristol as much as CWL has.

There's little option to replace what Flybe offered. EI are focused on Ireland. I don't think anyone would want Eastern, Loganair probably have bigger fish to fry and still remain cautious. Smaller regional Airlines aren't in big supply.
As for bigger Airlines, Easyjet is a big no. Jet2, not yet at least. TUI will probably have some continual small expansion, but I can't see a 4th summer aircraft for some time. Ryanair don't seem too interested at the moment but I have optimism over summer 2025, but we've been saying that for years.
If Wizz were in a better position then personally I'd welcome them back. Some decent prices and reliable service would soon put their previous attempt to the history books.

A bit out there, but I'd like to see an Airline like Volotea. But CWL would be a big risk for them in the UK market. At least when Vueling started they had brand awareness in Spain already.

I feel like i've said this every year for the past 10 years, but CWL needs a good Summer 2025. Figures for 2024 so far seem to be doing well. Play need a successful launch, albeit being only for a few weeks, as that would be a big win for CWL and hopefully we'll see increases from Ryanair and Vueling in 2025 when they release around October time.

 

[Samdorob]

I think geography and available airlines plays a big part of it as well.
Jet2 are opening Bournemouth, which although probably falls partly into Bristol and Gatwicks catchment, has untapped potential. Despite Jet2 stating they don't have any intentions of any more bases in the near future, I can still see CWL eventually getting some luck there.
Exeter has suffered at the hands of Bristol as much as CWL has.

There's little option to replace what Flybe offered. EI are focused on Ireland. I don't think anyone would want Eastern, Loganair probably have bigger fish to fry and still remain cautious. Smaller regional Airlines aren't in big supply.
As for bigger Airlines, Easyjet is a big no. Jet2, not yet at least. TUI will probably have some continual small expansion, but I can't see a 4th summer aircraft for some time. Ryanair don't seem too interested at the moment but I have optimism over summer 2025, but we've been saying that for years.
If Wizz were in a better position then personally I'd welcome them back. Some decent prices and reliable service would soon put their previous attempt to the history books.

A bit out there, but I'd like to see an Airline like Volotea. But CWL would be a big risk for them in the UK market. At least when Vueling started they had brand awareness in Spain already.

I feel like i've said this every year for the past 10 years, but CWL needs a good Summer 2025. Figures for 2024 so far seem to be doing well. Play need a successful launch, albeit being only for a few weeks, as that would be a big win for CWL and hopefully we'll see increases from Ryanair and Vueling in 2025 when they release around October time.

Completely agree. If Cardiff can get a scheduled route to Majorca and even Barcelona on top of their existing S24 programme I think it would be a big win for the airport.

Domestic wise mainly regarding EDI, which airline would be most likely to pick it up? (If any)

It’s a massive long shot, but a daily service with Ryanair would be preferable for me, or even 4 weekly. Whether they could fill a 737 every day is another story!

 

[Jerry]

It’s a massive long shot, but a daily service with Ryanair would be preferable for me, or even 4 weekly. Whether they could fill a 737 every day is another story!

I'd be surprised if an airline like Ryanair couldn't fill a 737 on a route like Edinburgh.

 

[Jerry]

Tbf to the Welsh Government they do back Cardiff Airport. This money is over 10 years and to be used to attract new airlines, routes and non passenger business like aircraft maintenance and cargo operations.

Cardiff Airport in line to land £200m in further backing from Welsh Government

If approved by the CMA over the next decade it would take Welsh Government's backing for the airport since its acquisition in 2013 to nearly £400m

www.business-live.co.uk

 

[geoff]

Spencer Birns also states that he is still negotiating with Qatar Airways for a resumption of the Doha route, with several requests for a connection to Australia. The investment by the Welsh Government is to assist the airport in persuading airlines to commence new routes from the airport, and to increase frequency on routes already operating from CWL. Spencer Birns said that demand for flights from CWL is already outstripping supply, the eventual aim to get passengers above the 2 million mark.

 

[Jerry]

Spencer Birns also states that he is still negotiating with Qatar Airways for a resumption of the Doha route, with several requests for a connection to Australia. The investment by the Welsh Government is to assist the airport in persuading airlines to commence new routes from the airport, and to increase frequency on routes already operating from CWL. Spencer Birns said that demand for flights from CWL is already outstripping supply, the eventual aim to get passengers above the 2 million mark.

Its not just routes and airlines. A big part of what the airport wants to do is expand the non passenger side of the business and invest in things like cargo and maintenance operations as well.

 

[MJC73]

Imagine if WG cld sort out the lanes between Miskin and Five Mile Lane and get DHL or likewise to open a facility there!

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Most cargo operators have consolidated to EMA and London now. Not sure CWL really has that much to offer for a cargo operation. CWL is not central to other parts of the UK so would solely be relying on cargo from/to South Wales and Southwest.

It's interesting this has been made public, as generally these things are under discussion for quite some time before being made public. Hopefully some of that money has already been or will be thrown at Airlines soon. I'm optimistic for something decent in summer 2025.

 

[Samdorob]

It’s not just routes and airlines. A big part of what the airport wants to do is expand the non passenger side of the business and invest in things like cargo and maintenance operations as well.

A decent cargo setup could also help attract manufacturing jobs to the area.

 

[Jerry]

Most cargo operators have consolidated to EMA and London now. Not sure CWL really has that much to offer for a cargo operation. CWL is not central to other parts of the UK so would solely be relying on cargo from/to South Wales and Southwest.

It's interesting this has been made public, as generally these things are under discussion for quite some time before being made public. Hopefully some of that money has already been or will be thrown at Airlines soon. I'm optimistic for something decent in summer 2025.

I'd expect any cargo would be focused on Welsh cargo rather than challenging the likes of EMA etc guess it depends on what it is.

 

[geoff]

I think that the Government plans and hopes for the future, have been made public since Ken Skates has been made Transport Minister, a position he held previously and has shown in the past enthusiasm for making CWL a success.

 

[Jerry]

One thing I find interesting with the comments about the airport is firstly the obsession with ALL government funds going to the NHS and how people who are in favour of government ownership of transport infrastructure don't seem to extend that to airports. Sell it seems to be a common reply without actually thought as to what that entails.