Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[Jerry]

This is from a Welsh government reply to a Conservative written question about Cardiff Airport.
It sets out the reason for the subsidy but also suggests that some sort of private partnership is now back on the tables. What that would look like is anyone's guess.
"The overarching objective of the ten-year subsidy is to address inequality in the Welsh economy compared to the rest of the UK by growing the aviation sector and aerospace businesses with the Airport at the centre. We consider that the subsidy investment package provides the best means for delivering that objective"

Written Question - WQ96094 - Welsh Parliament

The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people.

record.senedd.wales

"we are open to seeking private sector investment and to exploring different ownership models in the longer term"

Written Question - WQ96094 - Welsh Parliament

The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people.

record.senedd.wales

Another interesting answer is how they measure success for Cardiff Airport which I think sets out how a government views an airport differently to a private company.
"The Welsh Government assesses the growth of Cardiff Airport based on annual passenger numbers, number of jobs that the airport supports and the economic benefits that it brings to the Welsh economy"

Written Question - WQ96134 - Welsh Parliament

The Welsh Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people.

record.senedd.wales

 

[MJC73]

Welsh rugby.

Here is a thing, all 4 professional sides are in South Africa for the next 2 weeks. All 4 flew from Heathrow. Would it not be an idea to explore a charter from Cardiff? Approx 150 players and staff are there, maybe more.

Seems to be a missed opportunity.

 

[Jerry]

Welsh rugby.

Here is a thing, all 4 professional sides are in South Africa for the next 2 weeks. All 4 flew from Heathrow. Would it not be an idea to explore a charter from Cardiff? Approx 150 players and staff are there, maybe more.

Seems to be a missed opportunity.

Unfortunately they'll just want the cheapest/convenient option. It's unfortunate none are using KLM.

 

[geoff]

I notice that over the past few weeks, CWL has not seen any cargo flights from European, Urumpqi which was the destination from CWL has been operated from Bournemouth. The turn offs at the end of the runway have both been widened to make things easier for the A340s. The A340s have also been mentioned in the Senedd as potentially polluting aircraft because of their age, but does anyone have any knowledge of the reason for the diminished number of flights?

 

[Jerry]

I notice that over the past few weeks, CWL has not seen any cargo flights from European, Urumpqi which was the destination from CWL has been operated from Bournemouth. The turn offs at the end of the runway have both been widened to make things easier for the A340s. The A340s have also been mentioned in the Senedd as potentially polluting aircraft because of their age, but does anyone have any knowledge of the reason for the diminished number of flights?

Now you mention it i haven't seen any photos posted online etc.

 

[Jarvo]

I notice that over the past few weeks, CWL has not seen any cargo flights from European, Urumpqi which was the destination from CWL has been operated from Bournemouth. The turn offs at the end of the runway have both been widened to make things easier for the A340s. The A340s have also been mentioned in the Senedd as potentially polluting aircraft because of their age, but does anyone have any knowledge of the reason for the diminished number of flights?

I have seen elsewhere that European are down a plane... Tech/ Gen maintenance. Likely consolidating their operations from their main base while they await the return.
Not from a reliable source (fb) but would make sense.

 

[Aviador]

Tbf people are allowed to voice their opinion even if we don't agree with them.
But my question to people does stand. What do people expect the Welsh government to do?

When Leeds was owned by the five combined authorities of West Yorkshire the airport was still a limited company and had to operate under limited company rules. The councils couldn't just plough money into the airport willy nilly. The airport was subject to the same borrowing rules of a limited company.

 

[Jerry]

When Leeds was owned by the five combined authorities of West Yorkshire the airport was still a limited company and had to operate under limited company rules. The councils couldn't just plough money into the airport willy nilly. The airport was subject to the same borrowing rules of a limited company.

The question still stands, What do people expect the Welsh government to do?

 

[lloyd36]

Just wondering on the chances that BA would invest or start flying from Cardiff given the other work they have here?

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Just wondering on the chances that BA would invest or start flying from Cardiff given the other work they have here?

Unlikely. They have an established maintenance base but it's flown by London based crews. You'd have to set up everything fresh, so makes no difference if the Hangar is in Cardiff or Cape Town, it'll make little difference to passenger flying.
BA also have zero interest in flying from the regions.

 

[Jerry]

Just wondering on the chances that BA would invest or start flying from Cardiff given the other work they have here?

Pretty much zero chance.

 

[lloyd36]

Thanks.
Who do you think Welsh government would be looking to when they talk about private investment?

 

[Jerry]

This is what the departure board will look like peak winter 2025-26.
So far it looks like there'll be up to 58 weekly departures, hopefully there'll be more added especially Malaga from Vueling.
Monday 8 departures
09.00 Gran Canaria TUI
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
10.45 Tenerife TUI
12.00 Belfast City Aer Lingus
16.05 Edinburgh Loganair
16.40 Alicante Vueling
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
23.30 Dublin Ryanair
Tuesday 9 departures
06.00 Palma de Mallorca TUI (from 31/3/26)
06.50 Alicante TUI (shifts to 06.00 from 31/3/26)
08.00 Tenerife TUI (shifts to 13.25 from 31/3/26)
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
12.00 Belfast City Aer Lingus
16.05 Edinburgh Loganair (not operating January and February)
16.45 Alicante Vueling
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
20:55 Malaga Vueling
Wednesday 8 departures
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
11.10 Paphos TUI (from 25/2/26)
12.00 Belfast City Aer Lingus
14.00 Tenerife Ryanair
15.55 Dublin Ryanair
16.05 Edinburgh Loganair (not operating January and February)
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
19.10 Alicante Ryanair
Thursday 7 departures
09.00 Gran Canaria TUI
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
10.30 Lanzarote TUI (shifts to 06.00 from 2/4/26)
10.30 Dublin Ryanair
12.55 Belfast City Aer Lingus
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
20.15 Edinburgh Loganair
Friday 8 departures
06.45 Enfidha TUI (from 6/3/26)
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
10.45 Tenerife TUI
12.55 Belfast City Aer Lingus
16.05 Alicante Ryanair
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
19.45 Edinburgh Loganair
22.25 Dublin Ryanair
Saturday 10 departures
06.15 Alicante TUI (shifts to 06.00 from 4/4/26)
07.00 Salzburg TUI (20/12/25-7/3/26)
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
12.00 Belfast City Aer Lingus
13.30 Fuerteventura TUI (from 18/12/25, switches to 10.00 from 28/3/26)
15.20 Chambery TUI (21/12/25-14/3/26)
16.45 Alicante Vueling
17.10 Malaga Vueling
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
23.45 Dublin Ryanair
Sunday 8 departures
07.00 Malaga TUI (shifts to 06.25 from 31/3/26)
09.00 Tenerife TUI(from 21/12/25)
10.20 Amsterdam KLM
12.55 Belfast City Aer Lingus
14.55 Lanzarote TUI (shifts to 14.05 from 5/4/26)
17.25 Amsterdam KLM
18.25 Alicante Ryanair
20.45 Edinburgh Loganair
21.20 Dublin Ryanair

Thanks.
Who do you think Welsh government would be looking to when they talk about private investment?

Depends on what they want, whether it's an investor to provide cash to realise Masterplan 2040 which does involve a new terminal building or an operator to take over the airport and operate it on their behalf or potentially a bit of both. There are plenty of companies that can do both but i suspect any company will want a guarantee of financial support for the airport from the government which this investment package i suspect is there to guarantee.

 

[Jerry]

At the moment this is what is onsale from Cardiff Airport for winter 2025-26
TUI will operate up to 15 weekly departure
Tenerife 4 weekly
Lanzarote 2 weekly
Gran Canaria 2 weekly
Alicante 2 weekly
Fuerteventura 1 weekly (new)
Salzburg 1 weekly (new)
Chambery 1 weekly
Malaga 1 weekly
Paphos 1 weekly (from 25/2/26)
Enfidha 1 weekly (from 6/3/26)
Palma de Mallorca 1 weekly (from 31/3/26)
Barbados departures 11/12/25, 5/2/26 & 22/3/26
Cancun departures 23/3/26 & 6/4/26
P&O Cruises Barbados departures
21/11/25, 23/1/26, 30/1/26 & 14/2/26

Ryanair 10 weekly departures
Dublin 6 weekly
Alicante 3 weekly
Tenerife 1
Vueling 5 weekly departures atm
Alicante 3 weekly
Malaga 2 weekly (December & January atm)

KLM
Amsterdam 14 weekly
Aer Lingus
Belfast City 7 weekly
Loganair
Edinburgh 6 weekly but reduced to 4 weekly in January and February.

At the moment there will be up to 58 weekly departures with 6 airlines with up to 17 destinations.
This is subject to change

 

[geoff]

Nice to see 8 787flights over the winter.

 

[Jerry]

"Mr Lees said: “We have publicly called for details to be urgently made available on the proposed subsidy including the benefits it will deliver, what alternatives have been considered, how the impacts have been assessed, in the context of the significant additional cost burden to the taxpayer in Wales."
“It is therefore appropriate for our legal team to make a formal pre-application request to the Welsh Government for more detailed information on the proposed subsidy, as there has been insufficient detail published or shared to date to fully understand how the subsidy will be used.”
Pretty sure the Welsh government has already stated what it's going to be used for but it sound's like Bristol Airport wants the specifics, i expect especially around any route development money.
Will be interesting to see how far Bristol Airport is willing to go with this.

Bristol Airport issues demand to Wales over £205m plan for Cardiff Airport

Lawyers for Bristol Airport have written to the Welsh Government

www.walesonline.co.uk

 

[Jerry]

Interesting
"The lawyers are also questioning why the Welsh Government does not consider Cardiff International
Airport to be “an ailing or insolvent enterprise”."
“The Welsh Conservatives firmly believe that Ministers in Cardiff Bay lack the essential expertise required to manage an airport effectively. An experienced private sector corporation, with a proven track record in the aviation industry, would be far better equipped to ensure that Cardiff Airport not only survives but thrives.”
They say it needs aviation experience but 2 of the board have that experience and the former CEO had it as well. But whatever the WG do whether sell it or bring in a private operator there'll still most likely be some sort of support/subsidy/investment required by the Welsh government.

Bristol Airport instructs lawyers to demand details on multi-million-pound subsidy for Cardiff Airport

Emily Price Lawyers working on behalf of Bristol Airport have written to the Welsh Government demanding more details on a multi million pound subsidy for Cardiff Airport. Earlier this month, Bristol Airport’s Chief Executive Officer Dave Lees wrote to Cabinet Secretary for Economy Rebecca Evans...

nation.cymru

 

[Samdorob]

Interesting
"The lawyers are also questioning why the Welsh Government does not consider Cardiff International
Airport to be “an ailing or insolvent enterprise”."
“The Welsh Conservatives firmly believe that Ministers in Cardiff Bay lack the essential expertise required to manage an airport effectively. An experienced private sector corporation, with a proven track record in the aviation industry, would be far better equipped to ensure that Cardiff Airport not only survives but thrives.”
They say it needs aviation experience but 2 of the board have that experience and the former CEO had it as well. But whatever the WG do whether sell it or bring in a private operator there'll still most likely be some sort of support/subsidy/investment required by the Welsh government.

Bristol Airport instructs lawyers to demand details on multi-million-pound subsidy for Cardiff Airport

Emily Price Lawyers working on behalf of Bristol Airport have written to the Welsh Government demanding more details on a multi million pound subsidy for Cardiff Airport. Earlier this month, Bristol Airport’s Chief Executive Officer Dave Lees wrote to Cabinet Secretary for Economy Rebecca Evans...

nation.cymru

To be honest I can see any future government selling a share in the airport. I don’t think that would be the worst scenario as at least part of the airport would still be under public control. I do think regardless of who owns it, it will still have the same challenges.

 

[Jerry]

To be honest I can see any future government selling a share in the airport. I don’t think that would be the worst scenario as at least part of the airport would still be under public control. I do think regardless of who owns it, it will still have the same challenges.

Me too I expect the whole £205 million over is part of that. Another option is to have a company take over operating it but still under government ownership.

 

[geoff]

BRS CEO Lees made the HTV News yesterday , and is still in Business Live Wales with the same argument over CWL having an unfair advantage over the private sector over a period of time. Perhaps the Welsh Government should point out the unfairness of no subsequent money granted to Wales over the construction of HS2, despite NI and Scotland benefitting, and the difference of saving 2500 jobs at Scunthorpe, and sacrificing 2800 jobs at Port Talbot.