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- #41
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
That will give CWL a much welcomed boot to the passenger numbers for this month.
That will give CWL a much welcomed boot to the passenger numbers for this month.
TheLocalYokel
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- #42
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Flybe certainly seem able to exist on fewer passengers than, say, LH.
For example, in the full year of 2008 28,000 travelled on Flybe's SOU-FRA route compared with 73,000 on the LH BRS-FRA route in the last nine months of 2008.
I believed from the beginning that the 100-seat Bae-146-300 was too big for a 3 x daily service to FRA from BRS, so Flybe's smaller Q400 would be more the right size, although I would not expect to see more than a single daily service from CWL, not to begin with anyway.
Problems remain though. Elsewhere in this forum there is a report showing how much new scheduled start-up routes have fallen in the UK because of the economic crisis. Flybe would have no inter-lining facility (not yet anyway) which really means all passengers would be either Germany bound or Wales/W of England bound. Given the rider that Flybe seems to make a profit on relatively small loads one has to wonder whether in these times the airline would deem it the right time.
Flybe certainly seem able to exist on fewer passengers than, say, LH.
For example, in the full year of 2008 28,000 travelled on Flybe's SOU-FRA route compared with 73,000 on the LH BRS-FRA route in the last nine months of 2008.
I believed from the beginning that the 100-seat Bae-146-300 was too big for a 3 x daily service to FRA from BRS, so Flybe's smaller Q400 would be more the right size, although I would not expect to see more than a single daily service from CWL, not to begin with anyway.
Problems remain though. Elsewhere in this forum there is a report showing how much new scheduled start-up routes have fallen in the UK because of the economic crisis. Flybe would have no inter-lining facility (not yet anyway) which really means all passengers would be either Germany bound or Wales/W of England bound. Given the rider that Flybe seems to make a profit on relatively small loads one has to wonder whether in these times the airline would deem it the right time.
mathers_wales_uk
Well-Known Member
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Flybe do offer a connections service on their website where it enables customers to build an itinerery of Flybe and Loganair routes. Unfortunatly i believe it is only on certain routes that this can be done.
Flybe did mention they wish to be the biggest airline at CWL by 2011 and possibly german routes could be added to this. Saying that AMS is another route that has availability since Bmibaby has pulled off it.
Theres a few obstacles i can see
Do they have the aircraft available to operate these new routes? If they do have the aircraft then where are the aircraft going to origionate from?
Until Flybe choose to start up a base at CWL if they have any intention of doing so then i really can't see much more expansion by them. I relly wish i am wrong as they have the ideal aircraft type to start such routes.
Flybe do offer a connections service on their website where it enables customers to build an itinerery of Flybe and Loganair routes. Unfortunatly i believe it is only on certain routes that this can be done.
Flybe did mention they wish to be the biggest airline at CWL by 2011 and possibly german routes could be added to this. Saying that AMS is another route that has availability since Bmibaby has pulled off it.
Theres a few obstacles i can see
Do they have the aircraft available to operate these new routes? If they do have the aircraft then where are the aircraft going to origionate from?
Until Flybe choose to start up a base at CWL if they have any intention of doing so then i really can't see much more expansion by them. I relly wish i am wrong as they have the ideal aircraft type to start such routes.
TheLocalYokel
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- #44
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
I was thinking of inter-continental inter-lining facilities from Frankfurt.
In the first six months of its existence LH said that passengers originating from Bristol used every one of its world-wide route network from Frankfurt which is an indication of the value of FRA has a hub from regional airports such as CWL and BRS, so long as the capability for seemless transfer exists.
Still, if SOU can make a go of it with Flybe to FRA there is a decent chance that so might CWL, except that SOU is in the fortunate position of being a niche alternative for some people who live/work in the London area but who choose SOU because of its accessibility (nearest rail station to airport terminal in the UK I am told) and ease of use.
I was thinking of inter-continental inter-lining facilities from Frankfurt.
In the first six months of its existence LH said that passengers originating from Bristol used every one of its world-wide route network from Frankfurt which is an indication of the value of FRA has a hub from regional airports such as CWL and BRS, so long as the capability for seemless transfer exists.
Still, if SOU can make a go of it with Flybe to FRA there is a decent chance that so might CWL, except that SOU is in the fortunate position of being a niche alternative for some people who live/work in the London area but who choose SOU because of its accessibility (nearest rail station to airport terminal in the UK I am told) and ease of use.
mathers_wales_uk
Well-Known Member
Servisair Cardiff to Close
Ground firm ends airport contract
The company employs 44 full and part-time staff at Cardiff Airport
A ground handling company, which includes processing baggage and the check in, is pulling out of Cardiff Airport after nearly 40 years.
Servisair said fewer flights meant its operation was no longer viable and its operations will stop at the end of May.
The company said its decision was mainly due to the collapse of the airline, Zoom, and general reductions in scheduled and charter flights
The airport said it understood why Servisair had reached its decision.
The company has 21 full-time staff at the airport, and another 23 part-timers.
It provides a variety of services, including baggage handling and check-in staff.
We understand why Servisair has reached this difficult decision given the current economic climate
Russell Clements, Cardiif Airport
Workers have been told their jobs will probably by protected by employment law, as the business is transferred to a new operator.
Servisair has been operating in Cardiff since 1972 but most flights there are now handled by its rival, Aviance.
"With two ground handlers currently vying for business within a very limited market, Servisair has reluctantly reached the view that their business in Cardiff is no longer financially viable," said the company.
Cardiff Airport's operations director, Russell Clements, said: "We understand why Servisair has reached this difficult decision given the current economic climate.
"The handling agents are employed by the airlines to undertake the ground operations on their behalf, and as an airport we provide the license for the handling agents to operate.
"We anticipate no loss of service to our airlines and will work with all parties to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible."
Ground firm ends airport contract
The company employs 44 full and part-time staff at Cardiff Airport
A ground handling company, which includes processing baggage and the check in, is pulling out of Cardiff Airport after nearly 40 years.
Servisair said fewer flights meant its operation was no longer viable and its operations will stop at the end of May.
The company said its decision was mainly due to the collapse of the airline, Zoom, and general reductions in scheduled and charter flights
The airport said it understood why Servisair had reached its decision.
The company has 21 full-time staff at the airport, and another 23 part-timers.
It provides a variety of services, including baggage handling and check-in staff.
We understand why Servisair has reached this difficult decision given the current economic climate
Russell Clements, Cardiif Airport
Workers have been told their jobs will probably by protected by employment law, as the business is transferred to a new operator.
Servisair has been operating in Cardiff since 1972 but most flights there are now handled by its rival, Aviance.
"With two ground handlers currently vying for business within a very limited market, Servisair has reluctantly reached the view that their business in Cardiff is no longer financially viable," said the company.
Cardiff Airport's operations director, Russell Clements, said: "We understand why Servisair has reached this difficult decision given the current economic climate.
"The handling agents are employed by the airlines to undertake the ground operations on their behalf, and as an airport we provide the license for the handling agents to operate.
"We anticipate no loss of service to our airlines and will work with all parties to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible."
TheLocalYokel
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- #46
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
mathers,
Is Aviance now likely to take on all the handling at CWL?
At least it seems the jobs are protected - let's hope so.
mathers,
Is Aviance now likely to take on all the handling at CWL?
At least it seems the jobs are protected - let's hope so.
- Admin
- #47
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
This is bad news but it would seem that this is the way many airports are heading, only having one ground service contractor. Previously Aviance released a press statement after their withdrawal from Gatwick airport saying that the cut throat business is becoming untenable and that the closure of their largest base was a warning to airlines that things have to change and that airlines will no longer be able to bully their service contractor around in the way they have in the past.
At least Aviance are able to take on most of the staff left in the wake of the withdrawal of Servisair Cardiff.
This is bad news but it would seem that this is the way many airports are heading, only having one ground service contractor. Previously Aviance released a press statement after their withdrawal from Gatwick airport saying that the cut throat business is becoming untenable and that the closure of their largest base was a warning to airlines that things have to change and that airlines will no longer be able to bully their service contractor around in the way they have in the past.
At least Aviance are able to take on most of the staff left in the wake of the withdrawal of Servisair Cardiff.
mathers_wales_uk
Well-Known Member
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
It's too early to say. My guess is that they must be mad not to try for it in order to stop any other handling agent coming in. I'm sure ther airport on the other hand will like a seccond handling agent as they always have.
Problem that Servisair has experienced is a reduction in charter flights or airlines going out of business such as Zoom, XL,Reduction in TOM flights and TNT leaving etc. It gets even worse in the winter with only 3 or 4 flights a day.
Would another handling agent want to come into Cardiff if Servisair were struggling to make a profit? Currently at Cardiff Servisair was only operating Front of house and Aviance are operating Front of house, and back of house (including all Servisair aircraft).
Everything is all speculation and too early to say but with 7 weeks or so until closure im sure information will start to be released in 2 weeks or so.
I would like to wish all those at Servisair best of luck and hope that good news will come sooner rather than later for them.
It's too early to say. My guess is that they must be mad not to try for it in order to stop any other handling agent coming in. I'm sure ther airport on the other hand will like a seccond handling agent as they always have.
Problem that Servisair has experienced is a reduction in charter flights or airlines going out of business such as Zoom, XL,Reduction in TOM flights and TNT leaving etc. It gets even worse in the winter with only 3 or 4 flights a day.
Would another handling agent want to come into Cardiff if Servisair were struggling to make a profit? Currently at Cardiff Servisair was only operating Front of house and Aviance are operating Front of house, and back of house (including all Servisair aircraft).
Everything is all speculation and too early to say but with 7 weeks or so until closure im sure information will start to be released in 2 weeks or so.
I would like to wish all those at Servisair best of luck and hope that good news will come sooner rather than later for them.
TheLocalYokel
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- #49
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
No need for airport road
NEVAR (No Ely Valley Airport Access Road) is opposed to the construction of a new road through unspoilt countryside in the Ely Valley, from junction 34 of the M4 to Cardiff Airport.
This road has been part of the Assembly’s plans to improve access to Cardiff Airport.
Our arguments against it can be found at http://www.nevar.co.uk.
Information revealed during pre-consultation into the planned major expansion of Bristol Airport includes the airport’s own transport assessment, showing that ‘the highway network can safely accommodate the increase in traffic’ that would result.
An expanded Bristol Airport would, of course, generate substantially greater traffic than Cardiff Airport does.
Access to Bristol Airport is either by a relatively tortuous urban route or along narrow country lanes.
This further demonstrates that there is no need for £140 million being spent on a new road to provide improved access to Cardiff Airport.
We say that if any investment is to be made into road construction, then alleviation of the problems experienced by people travelling east/west between Barry and Cardiff should be the priority.
This would not be achieved by a north/south route to the M4.
Michael Jones, Peterston-super-Ely, Chairman, NEVAR.
link: http://www.barryanddistrictnews.co.uk/n ... port_road/
These people seem to be everywhere.
I suspect they are descendants of the Luddites.
No need for airport road
NEVAR (No Ely Valley Airport Access Road) is opposed to the construction of a new road through unspoilt countryside in the Ely Valley, from junction 34 of the M4 to Cardiff Airport.
This road has been part of the Assembly’s plans to improve access to Cardiff Airport.
Our arguments against it can be found at http://www.nevar.co.uk.
Information revealed during pre-consultation into the planned major expansion of Bristol Airport includes the airport’s own transport assessment, showing that ‘the highway network can safely accommodate the increase in traffic’ that would result.
An expanded Bristol Airport would, of course, generate substantially greater traffic than Cardiff Airport does.
Access to Bristol Airport is either by a relatively tortuous urban route or along narrow country lanes.
This further demonstrates that there is no need for £140 million being spent on a new road to provide improved access to Cardiff Airport.
We say that if any investment is to be made into road construction, then alleviation of the problems experienced by people travelling east/west between Barry and Cardiff should be the priority.
This would not be achieved by a north/south route to the M4.
Michael Jones, Peterston-super-Ely, Chairman, NEVAR.
link: http://www.barryanddistrictnews.co.uk/n ... port_road/
These people seem to be everywhere.
I suspect they are descendants of the Luddites.
mathers_wales_uk
Well-Known Member
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Well when the current approach road gets closed twice in one week by police due to minor accidents with no clear alternatives for diversions due to airport being surrounded by poor alternative country lane roads.
These situations will only get worse as the airport continues to expand and with the new MOD training academy to be built at Saint Athan.
Simple thing is to either build a new link road or to turn current road into a dual carriagway.
Well when the current approach road gets closed twice in one week by police due to minor accidents with no clear alternatives for diversions due to airport being surrounded by poor alternative country lane roads.
These situations will only get worse as the airport continues to expand and with the new MOD training academy to be built at Saint Athan.
Simple thing is to either build a new link road or to turn current road into a dual carriagway.
TheLocalYokel
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- #51
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Did the airport send you this email?
I can find nothing of this design on the CWL website - perhaps I've not looked in the right place. The master plan section on the website is still narrative, plans and graphs.
In the Bristol Airport Infrastructure Developments message board I've just posted a link to a video of that airport's proposed expansion. It is a virtual journey around the proposal and, in my opinion,a very impressive video.
It's a pity that CWL doesn't do something similar in terms of bringing to the public's notice what their proposals would actually look like.
Did the airport send you this email?
I can find nothing of this design on the CWL website - perhaps I've not looked in the right place. The master plan section on the website is still narrative, plans and graphs.
In the Bristol Airport Infrastructure Developments message board I've just posted a link to a video of that airport's proposed expansion. It is a virtual journey around the proposal and, in my opinion,a very impressive video.
It's a pity that CWL doesn't do something similar in terms of bringing to the public's notice what their proposals would actually look like.
- Admin
- #52
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Vital for Wales to work with airlines on international links
TONIGHT I shall be at the National Transport Awards for Wales organised by the Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (UK) Cymru and it may therefore seem somewhat inappropriate to revisit a transport issue outside of Wales.
However, the question of international connectivity for Wales draws us into the debate over the proposal to build a third runway at Heathrow because so many passengers from Wales have to use Heathrow for their international flights.
The arguments over the building of a third runway at Heathrow had appeared to have become polarised around opposing camps.
On one side the business community, supposedly all in favour, and on the other side environmentalists who oppose not only the expansion of air travel, because of the effect on climate change, but also the particular impact of expansion of Heathrow on local air pollution.
These polarised positions have become less clear with a letter published in The Times this week by a group of business leaders. They say putting more capacity into Heathrow won’t actually result in more domestic and international destinations being served.
More domestic journeys could be undertaken by rail if a high- speed line was built between London and Scotland and growth forecasts for air transport are incorrect following recent reductions in demand.
There is also the quality of life issue for those living around Heathrow who are affected by poor air quality and those in the wider London area who are affected by aircraft noise.
They also ask whether the new runway will deliver better domestic and international connections. A large part of the UK is badly served by Heathrow because runway slots that served domestic destinations have became too valuable to keep.
They have either been sold or used by airlines to serve more lucrative destinations. This means that passengers from large parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales, can only access Heathrow by surface transport.
What cannot be disputed is that Heathrow’s runways are running at full capacity under the present operational conditions where one runway is used for takeoffs and one runway is used for landings.
It is possible to raise runway capacity by using what is termed “mixed mode” operations where both runways are used for takeoffs and landings. However this type of operation gives local residents no respite from aircraft noise and therefore isn’t desirable.
How much extra runway capacity do we have in the UK? If we take into account the runways at regional airports such as Cardiff Airport, then a considerable amount. It then provokes the question, if passengers are travelling from the UK regions to use congested runways at Heathrow when there is adequate runway capacity at their local airport, why can’t passengers use that local airport and take a number of car journeys off the road?
Restricting capacity at Heathrow would displace passengers to their regional airports but not all of them. Passengers are attracted by not only a larger range of destinations but the frequency of service to those destinations.
Regional airports just can’t offer that frequency of service and while a high frequency of service to other international hubs can help, some passengers do not want the inconvenience of changing aircraft and some regional airports have struggled to maintain or even establish those connections to international hubs.
Does this mean that a small country like ours can’t have an airport that offers the international connections that passengers want? Well, the Irish Republic achieved it by having airports that were owned by the state with the state-owned airline and the national tourist board all working together.
While such a policy isn’t possible to achieve in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government should use all the powers that it has available. The WAG has started to work more closely with Cardiff Airport but now needs to concentrate on the airlines if it is to make a difference. Without a dialogue between government and airlines, it is impossible for the Government to know what airlines need to support investment.
It is not sufficient to assume that because there is a dialogue between airport and government that the Government is getting the airline view.
One area that is crucial for airlines is for marketing that stimulates awareness of Wales in overseas markets. It is the most difficult marketing for airlines to achieve for themselves.
There will be no award given tonight for improving international connectivity – let’s hope that it will be possible to give one in the future.
Martin Evans is External Research Fellow in the Wales Transport Research Centre at the University of Glamorgan
Source
Vital for Wales to work with airlines on international links
TONIGHT I shall be at the National Transport Awards for Wales organised by the Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (UK) Cymru and it may therefore seem somewhat inappropriate to revisit a transport issue outside of Wales.
However, the question of international connectivity for Wales draws us into the debate over the proposal to build a third runway at Heathrow because so many passengers from Wales have to use Heathrow for their international flights.
The arguments over the building of a third runway at Heathrow had appeared to have become polarised around opposing camps.
On one side the business community, supposedly all in favour, and on the other side environmentalists who oppose not only the expansion of air travel, because of the effect on climate change, but also the particular impact of expansion of Heathrow on local air pollution.
These polarised positions have become less clear with a letter published in The Times this week by a group of business leaders. They say putting more capacity into Heathrow won’t actually result in more domestic and international destinations being served.
More domestic journeys could be undertaken by rail if a high- speed line was built between London and Scotland and growth forecasts for air transport are incorrect following recent reductions in demand.
There is also the quality of life issue for those living around Heathrow who are affected by poor air quality and those in the wider London area who are affected by aircraft noise.
They also ask whether the new runway will deliver better domestic and international connections. A large part of the UK is badly served by Heathrow because runway slots that served domestic destinations have became too valuable to keep.
They have either been sold or used by airlines to serve more lucrative destinations. This means that passengers from large parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales, can only access Heathrow by surface transport.
What cannot be disputed is that Heathrow’s runways are running at full capacity under the present operational conditions where one runway is used for takeoffs and one runway is used for landings.
It is possible to raise runway capacity by using what is termed “mixed mode” operations where both runways are used for takeoffs and landings. However this type of operation gives local residents no respite from aircraft noise and therefore isn’t desirable.
How much extra runway capacity do we have in the UK? If we take into account the runways at regional airports such as Cardiff Airport, then a considerable amount. It then provokes the question, if passengers are travelling from the UK regions to use congested runways at Heathrow when there is adequate runway capacity at their local airport, why can’t passengers use that local airport and take a number of car journeys off the road?
Restricting capacity at Heathrow would displace passengers to their regional airports but not all of them. Passengers are attracted by not only a larger range of destinations but the frequency of service to those destinations.
Regional airports just can’t offer that frequency of service and while a high frequency of service to other international hubs can help, some passengers do not want the inconvenience of changing aircraft and some regional airports have struggled to maintain or even establish those connections to international hubs.
Does this mean that a small country like ours can’t have an airport that offers the international connections that passengers want? Well, the Irish Republic achieved it by having airports that were owned by the state with the state-owned airline and the national tourist board all working together.
While such a policy isn’t possible to achieve in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government should use all the powers that it has available. The WAG has started to work more closely with Cardiff Airport but now needs to concentrate on the airlines if it is to make a difference. Without a dialogue between government and airlines, it is impossible for the Government to know what airlines need to support investment.
It is not sufficient to assume that because there is a dialogue between airport and government that the Government is getting the airline view.
One area that is crucial for airlines is for marketing that stimulates awareness of Wales in overseas markets. It is the most difficult marketing for airlines to achieve for themselves.
There will be no award given tonight for improving international connectivity – let’s hope that it will be possible to give one in the future.
Martin Evans is External Research Fellow in the Wales Transport Research Centre at the University of Glamorgan
Source
TheLocalYokel
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- #53
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
The Republic of Ireland's capital city hasn't got an airport of the size of Heathrow a couple of hours away by train or road.
That said, many Irish travellers still use LHR and other major European hub airports for much inter-continental travel because the country's catchment cannot support a huge range of international destinations from DUB.
People have said many times on this forum and on others that CWL could certainly support more destinations than it currently possesses, but because it is the capital of Wales doesn't mean it might become a BRU or DUB or CPH or even an EDI or GLA.
In fact, if you discounted the London passengers from EDI and GLA they would both be not much bigger than somewhere like BRS or EMA in anual passenger figures. CWL is too close to London for air travel to be viable as has been shown in the past on several occasions.
Although nationalists may not like it the fact remains that CWL is another regional airport within the UK and the only advantage its capital city status is likely to bring is the benefit of having its own national government that could oil the wheels of marginal airlines or marginal routes from CWL.
If the routes are sustainable in themselves there should not be much need for state assistance.
The Republic of Ireland's capital city hasn't got an airport of the size of Heathrow a couple of hours away by train or road.
That said, many Irish travellers still use LHR and other major European hub airports for much inter-continental travel because the country's catchment cannot support a huge range of international destinations from DUB.
People have said many times on this forum and on others that CWL could certainly support more destinations than it currently possesses, but because it is the capital of Wales doesn't mean it might become a BRU or DUB or CPH or even an EDI or GLA.
In fact, if you discounted the London passengers from EDI and GLA they would both be not much bigger than somewhere like BRS or EMA in anual passenger figures. CWL is too close to London for air travel to be viable as has been shown in the past on several occasions.
Although nationalists may not like it the fact remains that CWL is another regional airport within the UK and the only advantage its capital city status is likely to bring is the benefit of having its own national government that could oil the wheels of marginal airlines or marginal routes from CWL.
If the routes are sustainable in themselves there should not be much need for state assistance.
- Admin
- #54
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Cardiff Airport may be left behind in Bristol’s wake
PLANS to expand Bristol International Airport could leave rival Cardiff Airport further behind as the two terminals battle for passengers, a transport expert warned yesterday.
But officials at Cardiff described Bristol’s expansion plans as “just potential”, with the planning application only recently launched.
Air transport expert Martin Evans, of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, argued that the Welsh Assembly Government needed to do more to market Wales to international travellers to attract inbound passengers to Cardiff Airport.
The development at Bristol aims to accommodate 10 million passengers a year (currently six million), creating more than 3,500 jobs.
It features an expansion of the existing terminal to double its overall floor area to house additional check-in desks, security channels and an enlarged departure lounge and arrivals area.
A new public transport interchange will sit on top of a multi-storey car park, with covered pedestrian access linking both to the terminal. Walkways and air bridges will provide direct access to aircraft, reducing the need for passengers to use buses to board and disembark flights.
Robert Sinclair, chief executive officer of Bristol International Airport, said: “Over the last six months we have listened to a wide range of views relating to the development of the airport. We have paid particular attention to the views of the local community, who are most directly affected by these proposals.
“The application has been modified to address the key concerns raised. It now strikes the right balance between allowing the sustainable development of the airport to meet the long-term demand for air travel to and from this region, while also reducing and mitigating the environmental effects.”
In response to requests from the local community, the airport has introduced a cap on night flights, as well as maintaining the current night noise quota.
The airport will also commit to maintaining CO2 emissions at or below 2007 levels with 20% of the additional energy required by the proposed development coming from on-site renewable sources.
Mr Sinclair said: “A successful airport is critical to the future prospects of the South-West, providing employment, economic benefits, connections for business and a gateway for inbound tourists visiting the region.
“We are a vital component of the region’s transport infrastructure. Delaying or doing nothing risks putting the region to the back of the queue for inward investment and providing a poor service to passengers flying out of the airport and visitors arriving in the region.”
There are reports that Bristol International is up for sale, which might impact on any proposed expansion, but a spokesman for the airport said the speculation was “just that – speculation”.
More than 10% of Bristol’s passengers come from Wales, with the airport particularly convenient for people living in South East Wales.
The airport’s spokesman said: “Further west, we aim to complement the route network available from Cardiff Airport. However, our major focus is attracting travellers who are currently journeying by road or rail to fly to the US from airports in South-East England.
“We want to see these passengers using Continental Airlines’ daily service from Bristol to New York.
“But it’s not just about outbound traffic. Inbound tourism is increasingly important (travel by foreign residents has grown by 161% at Bristol International over the past five years), and we see Bristol International as a gateway not just to South-West England, but also to Wales.”
Mr Evans, an air transport consultant, said more passengers at Bristol meant it would attract more.
He said: “Ever since Bristol started to grow that much faster than Cardiff it has been able to provide the variety of flights that the passengers cannot get at Cardiff.
“It’s not a case of passengers in Wales thinking that Bristol is more attractive. It’s simply that they have to go from the airport where the flight is offered that they want.
“But this is not just an issue for the management at Cardiff Airport. This is an issue that has to be addressed by the Assembly Government as well. Cardiff can get an advantage in bringing inbound passengers rather than focusing on the outbound market.
“You can only get that if the Assembly Government uses its marketing money available to raise awareness of Wales in foreign markets and then they can support the airlines in bringing in new routes and spend time convincing them that the market is there.
“Wales could be very attractive for visitors from Northern Europe as a short-break destination.”
A spokeswoman for Cardiff Airport said: “In terms of our own development we announced terminal improvements back in March which are due to start in January 2010 – these are real and imminent.
“We are also working very closely with the Welsh Assembly Government showing our commitment to being part of a wider strategy for Wales, focusing on real demand for growth and demand for travelling to Wales.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-i ... -23919929/
Cardiff Airport may be left behind in Bristol’s wake
PLANS to expand Bristol International Airport could leave rival Cardiff Airport further behind as the two terminals battle for passengers, a transport expert warned yesterday.
But officials at Cardiff described Bristol’s expansion plans as “just potential”, with the planning application only recently launched.
Air transport expert Martin Evans, of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, argued that the Welsh Assembly Government needed to do more to market Wales to international travellers to attract inbound passengers to Cardiff Airport.
The development at Bristol aims to accommodate 10 million passengers a year (currently six million), creating more than 3,500 jobs.
It features an expansion of the existing terminal to double its overall floor area to house additional check-in desks, security channels and an enlarged departure lounge and arrivals area.
A new public transport interchange will sit on top of a multi-storey car park, with covered pedestrian access linking both to the terminal. Walkways and air bridges will provide direct access to aircraft, reducing the need for passengers to use buses to board and disembark flights.
Robert Sinclair, chief executive officer of Bristol International Airport, said: “Over the last six months we have listened to a wide range of views relating to the development of the airport. We have paid particular attention to the views of the local community, who are most directly affected by these proposals.
“The application has been modified to address the key concerns raised. It now strikes the right balance between allowing the sustainable development of the airport to meet the long-term demand for air travel to and from this region, while also reducing and mitigating the environmental effects.”
In response to requests from the local community, the airport has introduced a cap on night flights, as well as maintaining the current night noise quota.
The airport will also commit to maintaining CO2 emissions at or below 2007 levels with 20% of the additional energy required by the proposed development coming from on-site renewable sources.
Mr Sinclair said: “A successful airport is critical to the future prospects of the South-West, providing employment, economic benefits, connections for business and a gateway for inbound tourists visiting the region.
“We are a vital component of the region’s transport infrastructure. Delaying or doing nothing risks putting the region to the back of the queue for inward investment and providing a poor service to passengers flying out of the airport and visitors arriving in the region.”
There are reports that Bristol International is up for sale, which might impact on any proposed expansion, but a spokesman for the airport said the speculation was “just that – speculation”.
More than 10% of Bristol’s passengers come from Wales, with the airport particularly convenient for people living in South East Wales.
The airport’s spokesman said: “Further west, we aim to complement the route network available from Cardiff Airport. However, our major focus is attracting travellers who are currently journeying by road or rail to fly to the US from airports in South-East England.
“We want to see these passengers using Continental Airlines’ daily service from Bristol to New York.
“But it’s not just about outbound traffic. Inbound tourism is increasingly important (travel by foreign residents has grown by 161% at Bristol International over the past five years), and we see Bristol International as a gateway not just to South-West England, but also to Wales.”
Mr Evans, an air transport consultant, said more passengers at Bristol meant it would attract more.
He said: “Ever since Bristol started to grow that much faster than Cardiff it has been able to provide the variety of flights that the passengers cannot get at Cardiff.
“It’s not a case of passengers in Wales thinking that Bristol is more attractive. It’s simply that they have to go from the airport where the flight is offered that they want.
“But this is not just an issue for the management at Cardiff Airport. This is an issue that has to be addressed by the Assembly Government as well. Cardiff can get an advantage in bringing inbound passengers rather than focusing on the outbound market.
“You can only get that if the Assembly Government uses its marketing money available to raise awareness of Wales in foreign markets and then they can support the airlines in bringing in new routes and spend time convincing them that the market is there.
“Wales could be very attractive for visitors from Northern Europe as a short-break destination.”
A spokeswoman for Cardiff Airport said: “In terms of our own development we announced terminal improvements back in March which are due to start in January 2010 – these are real and imminent.
“We are also working very closely with the Welsh Assembly Government showing our commitment to being part of a wider strategy for Wales, focusing on real demand for growth and demand for travelling to Wales.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-i ... -23919929/
TheLocalYokel
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- #55
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Each time Bristol revises its master plan (in the detail, not the substance) Wales Online goes to town with a big article which is invariably a near carbon copy of its previous one.
Earlier this year, after BRS completed its pre-application consultation and as a result tinkered a bit with the proposals (with the biggest change being a lower multi storey car park with public transport interchange on top), ic Wales put out almost the same article as this one. They may have had a different academic to put his views but that would have been the only difference.
It may be that there is method in ic Wales's approach. They might be trying to stir the citizens of the Principality to put pressure on politicians and the airport management to improve CWL's lot.
Bristol's expansion is far from certain and if it does go ahead will take the best part of a decade to complete.
CWL should not be afraid to copy some of the BRS management's good ideas. A simple and relatively inexpensive initiative would be the adoption of the Flyer airport coach. The Bristol Flyer departs and arrives every 15 minutes at both the main railway station and bus and coach station from around 3am until after midnight. The frequency is reduced to a 30-minute one in the very early morning and late evening but it is effectively a train so far as through booking is concerned.
BRS appears as a 'station' on the First Great Western network and the Flyer coach appears on the railway station train arrivals/departure boards.
Around 10% of people using BRS arrive and depart by Flyer (over half a million a year) and there is no doubt the majority access the Flyer at Temple Meads railway station, with most on through rail journeys ending at the airport.
I was at the station again this afternoon and there was a continuous queue of people who had arrived by train at the Flyer stop. In about a thirty minute period I saw three 50-seat Flyers depart for the airport very comfortably loaded from the station and inbound Flyers were also dropping off people in goodly numbers who then went into the station.
The Welsh Assembly Government spent £19 million re-opening the Vale of Glamorgan railway line a few years ago to give access to CWL. Well, almost to give access to be precise because a short bus link is till required and only local trains stop there and they are not very frequent. The WAG would have been better off supporting a Flyer coach system.
As to the Welsh tourist board, at the beginning of this summer the man in charge of the South West tourist board was on local telly complaining about their budget which he said was a tiny fraction of that for Wales. This is the government South West Region with a 5 million population and stretching from Gloucestershire to Cornwall and east to Wiltshire and Dorset.
So there is no reason why, if they were so minded, the Welsh tourist people could not push out the boat in a big way advertising CWL.
Each time Bristol revises its master plan (in the detail, not the substance) Wales Online goes to town with a big article which is invariably a near carbon copy of its previous one.
Earlier this year, after BRS completed its pre-application consultation and as a result tinkered a bit with the proposals (with the biggest change being a lower multi storey car park with public transport interchange on top), ic Wales put out almost the same article as this one. They may have had a different academic to put his views but that would have been the only difference.
It may be that there is method in ic Wales's approach. They might be trying to stir the citizens of the Principality to put pressure on politicians and the airport management to improve CWL's lot.
Bristol's expansion is far from certain and if it does go ahead will take the best part of a decade to complete.
CWL should not be afraid to copy some of the BRS management's good ideas. A simple and relatively inexpensive initiative would be the adoption of the Flyer airport coach. The Bristol Flyer departs and arrives every 15 minutes at both the main railway station and bus and coach station from around 3am until after midnight. The frequency is reduced to a 30-minute one in the very early morning and late evening but it is effectively a train so far as through booking is concerned.
BRS appears as a 'station' on the First Great Western network and the Flyer coach appears on the railway station train arrivals/departure boards.
Around 10% of people using BRS arrive and depart by Flyer (over half a million a year) and there is no doubt the majority access the Flyer at Temple Meads railway station, with most on through rail journeys ending at the airport.
I was at the station again this afternoon and there was a continuous queue of people who had arrived by train at the Flyer stop. In about a thirty minute period I saw three 50-seat Flyers depart for the airport very comfortably loaded from the station and inbound Flyers were also dropping off people in goodly numbers who then went into the station.
The Welsh Assembly Government spent £19 million re-opening the Vale of Glamorgan railway line a few years ago to give access to CWL. Well, almost to give access to be precise because a short bus link is till required and only local trains stop there and they are not very frequent. The WAG would have been better off supporting a Flyer coach system.
As to the Welsh tourist board, at the beginning of this summer the man in charge of the South West tourist board was on local telly complaining about their budget which he said was a tiny fraction of that for Wales. This is the government South West Region with a 5 million population and stretching from Gloucestershire to Cornwall and east to Wiltshire and Dorset.
So there is no reason why, if they were so minded, the Welsh tourist people could not push out the boat in a big way advertising CWL.
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
The Wales Tourist Board is now part of WAG. I really don't know why there can't be an intergrated approach with WAG and the airport. If, as they are claiming, that the airport are in "consultation" with WAG then I don't understand why they can't include the part of WAG that deals with tourism. I know that they have telly ads about coming to Wales for holidays, but this is for home countries as far as I know. As the dried plum website states, there may a need for people in the street to involve their MPs and AMs to get the airport in the the public eye and maybe force the airport's hand, so to speak.
I also don't understand why CWL is so slow in trying to do something about closing the gap on BRS. Maybe their plan to update the terminal is the first step, but I can't help feeling what is the point to make the terminal areas larger if the number of airlines won't increase. The routes it does have seems to cater mostly for the bucket and spade brigade. I know that the current economic climate is not helping and it is affecting all airports, but it doesn't give me a lot of confidence.
And while I'm venting my spleen, why doesn't the blog of FFB say anything. IMHO surely it's better to give some sort of update, even if it's to say "We're still here" rather than nothing at all? Rant over
The Wales Tourist Board is now part of WAG. I really don't know why there can't be an intergrated approach with WAG and the airport. If, as they are claiming, that the airport are in "consultation" with WAG then I don't understand why they can't include the part of WAG that deals with tourism. I know that they have telly ads about coming to Wales for holidays, but this is for home countries as far as I know. As the dried plum website states, there may a need for people in the street to involve their MPs and AMs to get the airport in the the public eye and maybe force the airport's hand, so to speak.
I also don't understand why CWL is so slow in trying to do something about closing the gap on BRS. Maybe their plan to update the terminal is the first step, but I can't help feeling what is the point to make the terminal areas larger if the number of airlines won't increase. The routes it does have seems to cater mostly for the bucket and spade brigade. I know that the current economic climate is not helping and it is affecting all airports, but it doesn't give me a lot of confidence.
And while I'm venting my spleen, why doesn't the blog of FFB say anything. IMHO surely it's better to give some sort of update, even if it's to say "We're still here" rather than nothing at all? Rant over
TheLocalYokel
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- #57
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
I agree entirely about FFB. They should say something to remind everyone they are still alive - assuming they are.
And thanks for update re Welsh tourism. Hadn't realised they are now part of WAG.
The SWest England tourism board is still a sort of quango so far as I'm aware.
I agree entirely about FFB. They should say something to remind everyone they are still alive - assuming they are.
And thanks for update re Welsh tourism. Hadn't realised they are now part of WAG.
The SWest England tourism board is still a sort of quango so far as I'm aware.
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
Well whether FFB are still there or not, they should say so. Seeing that there are no updates since October of last year, they should. It's no wonder that people think that nothing is or will happen.
WTB were merged with WAG a year last April. If SWETourism is still a quango then it would get funding from somewhere in Whitehall. Being from this side of the bridge I don't know which Government Department it would come under
Well whether FFB are still there or not, they should say so. Seeing that there are no updates since October of last year, they should. It's no wonder that people think that nothing is or will happen.
WTB were merged with WAG a year last April. If SWETourism is still a quango then it would get funding from somewhere in Whitehall. Being from this side of the bridge I don't know which Government Department it would come under
TheLocalYokel
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- #59
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
It seems SouthWest Tourism is the official body to promote tourism in the region and is a mixture of public and private enterprise.
It receives its public funding from the South West Regional Development Agency (a quango of the classic design) and the RDA has given it what the tourism board regards as the derisory sum of £5 million to last the next three years.
Because the SW is so dependent on tourism and the tourist board area coincides with the RDA's area, the largest in area of all the English RDAs, with Cheltenham being almost as close to the Scottish border as it is to Lands End, I suppose their anger is understandable because the money has to be spread over such a wide tract of land and to so many disparate communities.
The SWRDA itself stated in the winter that it will no longer provide funding to assist any of its airports (GLO, BRS, BOH, EXT, PLH and NQY being the main ones). In fact the only financial aid BRS has ever had from this body to my knowledge was £1.5 million earlier this century to assist with an enlarged booking hall, ostensibly to help with the arrival of the CO service which the RDA regards as important to most of its region.
So being effectively the only airport in Wales and so important to the Welsh economy that is another advantage CWL ought to have over BRS.
It seems SouthWest Tourism is the official body to promote tourism in the region and is a mixture of public and private enterprise.
It receives its public funding from the South West Regional Development Agency (a quango of the classic design) and the RDA has given it what the tourism board regards as the derisory sum of £5 million to last the next three years.
Because the SW is so dependent on tourism and the tourist board area coincides with the RDA's area, the largest in area of all the English RDAs, with Cheltenham being almost as close to the Scottish border as it is to Lands End, I suppose their anger is understandable because the money has to be spread over such a wide tract of land and to so many disparate communities.
The SWRDA itself stated in the winter that it will no longer provide funding to assist any of its airports (GLO, BRS, BOH, EXT, PLH and NQY being the main ones). In fact the only financial aid BRS has ever had from this body to my knowledge was £1.5 million earlier this century to assist with an enlarged booking hall, ostensibly to help with the arrival of the CO service which the RDA regards as important to most of its region.
So being effectively the only airport in Wales and so important to the Welsh economy that is another advantage CWL ought to have over BRS.
TheLocalYokel
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- #60
Re: Cardiff Airport - Main Thread
I note that a new website has been set up with the aim of initiating 'a grass roots campaign to secure investment and policies to bring Wales a safe, environmentally sustainable yet complete air transport system to rival the best on the planet'.
The site is seeking people to join as members who agree with the fundamental idea of better air transport for Wales and they will be expected to invest time, thought and effort in support of the project.
One or two people who have experience of running airlines at senior level appear to be associated with the new site and have contributed to the message boards there, including the number one man at FFB, unless there are two experienced aviation men with the same name and outlook who passionately want CWL to do much better.
I believe that a couple of posters who contribute to this site may also have joined the new site so it would be interesting, and instructive, to see if any more information can be learned about FFB. Thus far, so far as I can see from a cursory perusal, this fledging airline has not been mentioned.
I thought about joining the site but have decided that I contribute to too many sites already and, anyway, I am not Welsh, do not live in the Principality and cannot honestly say I would be in a position to devote much effort to the venture, although I wish it every success.
I have put this post in the CWL thread as CWL will obviously be the majr beneficiary of impoved Wales air services.
I note that a new website has been set up with the aim of initiating 'a grass roots campaign to secure investment and policies to bring Wales a safe, environmentally sustainable yet complete air transport system to rival the best on the planet'.
The site is seeking people to join as members who agree with the fundamental idea of better air transport for Wales and they will be expected to invest time, thought and effort in support of the project.
One or two people who have experience of running airlines at senior level appear to be associated with the new site and have contributed to the message boards there, including the number one man at FFB, unless there are two experienced aviation men with the same name and outlook who passionately want CWL to do much better.
I believe that a couple of posters who contribute to this site may also have joined the new site so it would be interesting, and instructive, to see if any more information can be learned about FFB. Thus far, so far as I can see from a cursory perusal, this fledging airline has not been mentioned.
I thought about joining the site but have decided that I contribute to too many sites already and, anyway, I am not Welsh, do not live in the Principality and cannot honestly say I would be in a position to devote much effort to the venture, although I wish it every success.
I have put this post in the CWL thread as CWL will obviously be the majr beneficiary of impoved Wales air services.
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