Likely to be airspace closure issue at Qatar and the rest of the Middl East.
Likely to be airspace closure issue at Qatar and the rest of the Middl East.
- Moderator
- #4,142
It came from Miami so most likely a technical stop for fuel or to wait for the situation in the Middle East to blow over.
- Moderator
- #4,143
The Welsh Conservatives have released their manifesto for the Senedd 2026 election. There's 2 policies concerning Cardiff Airport.
A commitment to privatise it and support route development with a priority on flights to North America.
Maybe they missed the WestJet news?
And considering the obsession with Qatar Airways you'd have thought they'd have got a mention.
A commitment to privatise it and support route development with a priority on flights to North America.
Maybe they missed the WestJet news?
And considering the obsession with Qatar Airways you'd have thought they'd have got a mention.
- Moderator
- #4,144
So Reform have launched their manifesto for the Senedd election in May. Cardiff Airport gets a mention in the transport part
EXAMINE THE VIABILITY OF CARDIFF AIRPORT: Cardiff Airport was purchased by the Labour Welsh Government for £52 million in 2013. Since then the airport has been consistently loss-making, costing a total of £175 million to maintain and operate. Reform will urgently consider the viability of the airport as a Welsh Government asset, prior to making decisions about its future.
Seems they've rolled back on previous stated policy of privatising it and may well be hedging their bets a bit.
CAN&I
Active Member
Funny how the demands for CWL's closure and redevelopment for housing has virtually disappeared now we're all but in election season, as if the bods at Conservative HQ and Reform Towers have suddenly realised there are c4,000 voters in the VoG who won't be voting themselves out of a job.
The Welsh Conservatives want to privatise, save tax payer money, encourage north Atlantic routes and make sure the airport thrives. All rather lovely, yet they haven’t explained the "how's" or "who's" involved, never mind how they intend to honour the overall pledge of ensuring the airport will "thrive" in the future.
Otherwise, Reform UK are indeed hedging their bets as you say. Actually, lets be honest with ourselves. Reading between the lines they don't know what they are going to do with it. "We'll take a look at it and let you know what we think" isn't serious policy. The first question that springs to mind is on what basis will they "take a look at it"? As a passenger serving enterprise in isolation or as part of a wider aviation business contribution to Wales' aviation industry and economy as a whole?
Both manifestos lack detail and pose more questions than answers, yet its doubtful we'll see anything more compelling other than similarly light pledges amounting to "more of the same" from Welsh Labour, Welsh Liberal Democrats, Green Party Wales or Plaid Cymru.
- Moderator
- #4,146
They never have and tbh never will. They know that they're never going to be in government and as for Reform i suspect they would want to privatise it but don't want to be held to any specifics especially as many of their more hard core supporters would want it shut down.
The airport is on the up post Covid, but you have to question who would buy it currently.
For the sake of guaranteeing jobs and keeping the airports future secure I personally think it’s best kept in public ownership. Selling a share of it could work in favour of bringing in new money, but that’s a whole other can of worms.
- Moderator
- #4,148
In their evidence to CAT it was stated that the Welsh government are wary of the selling it because it means they would lose control of the strategic direction of the airport even a partial sale means less control.
Interesting interview with one of the ATCs at Cardiff.
Learning Fast in the Cardiff Tower - NATS Blog
On the job training for trainee Air Traffic Controllers is not only an opportunity to experience the thrill of safely navigating aircraft through the air and on the ground, but an essential part of the journey to validation. We recently caught up with newly validated Air Traffic Controller, Matt...
- Moderator
- #4,149
According to this article Cardiff Airport saw 963,000 passengers in 2025 up 9%. Aircraft movements were up 4%. Cargo up 7%.
It also mentions new routes planned in 2027 so it'll be interesting to see what happens.
www.business-live.co.uk
It also mentions new routes planned in 2027 so it'll be interesting to see what happens.
Cardiff Airport passenger numbers are on the rise
Its ability to accelerate passenger numbers will hinge on the outcome of legal challenge by Bristol Airport over Welsh Government £205m subsidy support plans
So glad to see most of the article is dedicated to the negative slant of the subsidy court case.According to this article Cardiff Airport saw 963,000 passengers in 2025 up 9%. Aircraft movements were up 4%. Cargo up 7%.
It also mentions new routes planned in 2027 so it'll be interesting to see what happens.
Cardiff Airport passenger numbers are on the rise
Its ability to accelerate passenger numbers will hinge on the outcome of legal challenge by Bristol Airport over Welsh Government £205m subsidy support plans
Would expect nothing less of Reach (media) plc
Tripe.
- Moderator
- #4,151
I suspect they'd try and say it was balanced reporting but I suppose but it does hang over CWL a bit where the future is regarded. Interesting that the article suggests the verdict won't be released until after the election in May which is something the Welsh government legal team mentioned in the preceedings.
geoff
Well-Known Member
Interesting visitor into CWL, Federal Express executive jet N2FE, could we be seeing something from in the future cargo wise?
- Moderator
- #4,153
Could've been a fuel stop for something else? A FedEx service would be a good coup for the airport on the cargo side.
geoff
Well-Known Member
Travel Weekly is reporting that P&O , will be using St Kitts as a homeport from November 2027, so there may well be a new destination from CWL in the future.
rollo
Elite-Member
- Aug 26, 2014
- 2,612
- 233
Winter 27/28 P&O will replace one of its ships they base in the Carriabean (Brittania) for winter with the larger Iona giving a requirement to fly approximately 30% more passengers out, equates to 6/7 additional flights fortnightly. Regional airports like Cardiff along with others may benefit from this.
We use these flights regularly from BHX and its quite common to hear Welsh accents as well as West Country on them.
- Moderator
- #4,156
"Cardiff Airport has welcomed over 46,000 travellers this Easter, marking an 18% increase compared to the same period last year"
Cardiff Airport sees ongoing growth ahead of 'busiest season since the pandemic'
Cardiff Airport has welcomed over 46,000 travellers this Easter, marking an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. With holidaymakers eager for both sun-soaked escapes and vibrant European city breaks, the Airport is building on a strong start to 2026. The top three destinations...
nation.cymru
I did think the same thing. I had to check i hadn't missed easter!Good article although the passengers going through haven't actually gone through yet as Easter is not until next week! Cardiff Airport has not yet welcomed 46,000 travellers. I hate bad grammar
- Moderator
- #4,160
Yeah really should read will welcomeGood article although the passengers going through haven't actually gone through yet as Easter is not until next week! Cardiff Airport has not yet welcomed 46,000 travellers. I hate bad grammar
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