Cardiff: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[geoff]

The *grilling* by some of the assembly members, really don't understand anything about how the airport is run. Ms Asghar complained that BRS was getting investment of £400 million without costing tax payers a penny. However the management at the airport and Directors, said that they were making progress with the 5 year plan for CWL, but were unable to speak in public about certain matters because of commercial confidential reasons.,

 

[Jerry]

The *grilling* by some of the assembly members, really don't understand anything about how the airport is run. Ms Asghar complained that BRS was getting investment of £400 million without costing tax payers a penny. However the management at the airport and Directors, said that they were making progress with the 5 year plan for CWL, but were unable to speak in public about certain matters because of commercial confidential reasons.,

Ms Ashgar is a champion of private ownership but she and people like her need to realise that when using Bristol as a comparison that its an airport 10x the size of Cardiff.
I think one of the challenges the airport has is that its critics just simply don't believe the airport management or its owners. They see it as an airport that's continuely failing so whatever they say they're not going to believe it or will come up with something else to bash the airport with.

 

[MJC73]

And Bristol was under the ownership of the Council when it first started spreading its wings.

The Private Sector is great at building on Public Sector foundations and screaming how wonderful it is.

 

[Jerry]

Some good questions from Plaid Cymru Deltyh Jewell about the investment planned for Cardiff Airport

Eluned Morgan challenged over extra funding for Cardiff Airport

Martin Shipton First Minister Eluned Morgan has been challenged to explain why her government seems committed to a budget-busting increase in funding for Cardiff Airport – which it owns – while apparently planning for cuts in core public services. On July 20, the then Economy Minister Ken Skates...

nation.cymru

 

[Jerry]

Cardiff will introduce a drop off fee from 1st October 2024.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1839696757556470100

 

[Samdorob]

Cardiff will introduce a drop off fee from 1st October 2024.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1839696757556470100

I can understand why they’re doing it, but it certainly won’t be popular. I’ve got quite good at throwing everything out of the car within 2 minutes when a relative drops me off 😂

 

[Red Flyer]

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66fbd5f730536cb927482a22/Report_on_the_proposed_subsidy_to_Cardiff_International_Airport_Limited.pdf

This report doesn’t make particularly good reading for the proposed subsidy!

 

[Jerry]

Just to point out the report is non binding so the Welsh government could go ahead with its plans.
I haven't had a chance to read it yet but Wales Online have already put out an article.

Questions raised over major plan to transform Cardiff Airport

However Welsh Government plans have been questioned by an independent regulator

www.walesonline.co.uk

 

[Tinkerman]

I’m well accustomed to reading this sort of document on a daily basis, and all it suggests is re-consideration of a few points and further detail on the proposals.

The fact that BHX or BRS are playing the market distortion card is quite disappointing overall when they serve a far larger/different market. However, WG’s proposals may not entirely stack up as getting long haul routes to major hubs is also the aim of BRS and BHX, but the review makes out as though BRS and BHX are more focussed on low-cost operations (which of course is true just by virtue, but they want their own long haul links!)

 

[Jerry]

I’m well accustomed to reading this sort of document on a daily basis, and all it suggests is re-consideration of a few points and further detail on the proposals.

The fact that BHX or BRS are playing the market distortion card is quite disappointing overall when they serve a far larger/different market. However, WG’s proposals may not entirely stack up as getting long haul routes to major hubs is also the aim of BRS and BHX, but the review makes out as though BRS and BHX are more focussed on low-cost operations (which of course is true just by virtue, but they want their own long haul links!)

It just seems to say a lot that more detail is required. I can't see the Welsh government not going ahead with the subsidy. It seems that the airport needs a cash injection for the future and is struggling to get airlines to commit.
I suppose from BRS and BHX position even one less passenger not going through their doors is less profit. Reality is that CWL is a minnow compared to them.

 

[Tinkerman]

It just seems to say a lot that more detail is required. I can't see the Welsh government not going ahead with the subsidy. It seems that the airport needs a cash injection for the future and is struggling to get airlines to commit.
I suppose from BRS and BHX position even one less passenger not going through their doors is less profit. Reality is that CWL is a minnow compared to them.

Agreed - WG will stump up the cash for it, that’s almost a dead cert.

Whether or not it’s the best use of £206m of public funds at the moment is a completely different question.

 

[Jerry]

Whether or not it’s the best use of £206m of public funds at the moment is a completely different question.

Well i suppose that depends on an individual persons view. The money is spread over a decade so it is £20 million a year which in government terms isn't a massive amount. I guess it will only be seen as a good use if it leads to more routes, more jobs and more investment in the area.

 

[Jerry]

Question in the Senedd by Natasha Ashgar about the SAU report.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843962110390538421

I always find the replies in these interesting, especially the ones that seem to somehow think that if the Welsh government closed the airport other stuff just like the BAMC would just carry on and that the Welsh government would somehow be happy to pay to keep an airfield open for a few flights a month or that BA themselves would be willing to buy the site to do the same.

 

[geoff]

Ms Asghar criticizes anything and every thing about the ownership of the airport, she also criticized the Transport for Wales regarding Welsh Railways this last week. It would be good if CWL could only announce some good news, but there is not a lot of that about at the moment. TUI are announcing Summer 26 for families this week, let's hope there will be some expansion from them for CWL.

 

[Samdorob]

Question in the Senedd by Natasha Ashgar about the SAU report.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843962110390538421

I always find the replies in these interesting, especially the ones that seem to somehow think that if the Welsh government closed the airport other stuff just like the BAMC would just carry on and that the Welsh government would somehow be happy to pay to keep an airfield open for a few flights a month or that BA themselves would be willing to buy the site to do the same.

I’m sure BA would quickly move operations elsewhere and sell their hangar. Ultimately if you own a business you need to invest to move forward. I do see why criticise public spending on an airport when it looks to have gone backwards (covid) but it should be seen as infrastructure not just a business. Roads and bridges don’t make money themselves but the fact that they exist help drive the economy.

 

[Jerry]

Ms Asghar criticizes anything and every thing about the ownership of the airport, she also criticized the Transport for Wales regarding Welsh Railways this last week. It would be good if CWL could only announce some good news, but there is not a lot of that about at the moment. TUI are announcing Summer 26 for families this week, let's hope there will be some expansion from them for CWL.

I suppose she'd reply by saying that's her job. Fingers crossed TUI will add more and we'll see some positive news but I suspect that won't satisfy the critics.

I’m sure BA would quickly move operations elsewhere and sell their hangar. Ultimately if you own a business you need to invest to move forward. I do see why criticise public spending on an airport when it looks to have gone backwards (covid) but it should be seen as infrastructure not just a business. Roads and bridges don’t make money themselves but the fact that they exist help drive the economy.

I think that is one of the challenges with an airport like this. People don't see it as an economic investment or an infrastructure investment. The Welsh government do see it that way and do seem to be committed to investing in the airport.
As far as BA are concerned it would be interesting to know if they own the building or rent the site.

 

[Jerry]

Really good news to see these cargo flights finally announced!

Cardiff Airport - European Cargo choose Cardiff Wales Airport as new base

<p>British air freight carrier, European Cargo, has confirmed its investment plans to open a new base in Wales Cardiff Airport […]</p>

cardiff-airport.com

 

[Tinkerman]

Really good news to see these cargo flights finally announced!

Cardiff Airport - European Cargo choose Cardiff Wales Airport as new base

<p>British air freight carrier, European Cargo, has confirmed its investment plans to open a new base in Wales Cardiff Airport […]</p>

cardiff-airport.com

Excellent news for this to be out there at last Jerry !

Great ability for Welsh busineses to be able to export etc using these flights.

 

[Jerry]

Excellent news for this to be out there at last Jerry !

Great ability for Welsh busineses to be able to export etc using these flights.

Yes it is. Also helps with the case for more investment.

 

[geoff]

It is so good to hear some good news for CWL, it could be so good for the Welsh economy.