Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[TheLocalYokel]

Yes i wonder if the Qatari's will be tempted by it! I'm sure they will have an investment firm lined up though it would be very ironic if it was Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan!

I wouldn't be surprised if Qatar did show an interest. It's something I've thought might have been part of the talk about co-operation between the Welsh and Qatari governments. CWL is still loss-making and, although the WG seems content to take a long term view about profitability as they see the airport as part of a wider commitment to boost the Welsh economy, a private sector partner might take a different view, certainly one such as OTPP. The Qatari government though might see things more as the WG does.

 

[Jerry]

The Qatari government though might see things more as the WG does.

They do have an investment bank and i also believe they have an investment in the gas terminal in west wales. So they could be a good shout for potential investment into the airport and in other projects in Wales.

 

[Jerry]

With 25% of CWLs passengers inbound tourists and the more tourism in Wales grows then maybe that percentage will get higher then introducing a Welsh government Tourism tax may not be a smart idea.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-politics-41608453

 

[TheLocalYokel]

On the one hand the WG says it would abolish (or reduce to nil) air passenger duty which would cost it money because the Westminster government will deduct from its block grant a sum equal to what could have been raised.

It believes that this loss would be more than made up by attracting more business and visitors to boost the Welsh economy. Now it seems to be considering a move that would have the potential to seriously damage any benefit a nil apd might bring.

 

[Jerry]

Yes it seems strange to want a tax devolved to attract more tourists with cheaper flights and then sting them with a tax on their accommodation.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

The next Cardiff Airport Airport Consultative Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday 29th Novemeber 2017 @ 18:00 in the Porthkerry Room.

 

[Jerry]

Cardiff Airport along with Birmingham Airport has been named as only 2 UK major airports to win OAG's top on time performance rating. Cardiff won 10th place with 89.4% of it's 15,000 flights leaving arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time.
https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/birmingham-and-cardiff-airports-most-punctual-oag-says-11966

 

[Jerry]

Student's from Cardiff Sixth Form College got a tour of BAMC earlier in the week arranged as part of Work Experience month 2017.
https://www.aviationwales.com/students-get-experience-british-airways-cardiff-base/

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

Cardiff Airport along with Birmingham Airport has been named as only 2 UK major airports to win OAG's top on time performance rating. Cardiff won 10th place with 89.4% of it's 15,000 flights leaving arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time.
https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/birmingham-and-cardiff-airports-most-punctual-oag-says-11966

To be honest it is likely down to the airlines themselves rather than the airport and it's staff that's causing the on-time performance not to be even better. Being a small airport it doesn't suffer as many ramp congestion delays similar to larger airports.

 

[Jerry]

To be honest it is likely down to the airlines themselves rather than the airport and it's staff that's causing the on-time performance not to be even better. Being a small airport it doesn't suffer as many ramp congestion delays similar to larger airports.

Yep but the accolade is nice!
As the airport (hopefully) gets busier over time it will be interesting to see if stats like that go up or down.

 

[marsh.ger]

Based on the layout of the airport on-time performance will likely decrease however as the criteria is within 15 minutes of scheduled departure time then it may not make that much of a difference.

Aircraft on Stands 1 & 3 cannot push at the same time.
Nothing on stand 12-17 can push at the same time.
There needs to be a gap of one stand between anything pushing back from 8-11.

So effectively the maximum amount of aircraft that can push at any single time is 4 (Or 5 if you use Stands 4&5).

The design of the airport in general is poor both terminal and apron. In an ideal world you would want to start from scratch and make the most of the land available for parking positions especially to cope with large events. Check-in hall would need to be expanded not only the number of desks but it's length for the queues.

Room at the boarding gates would be much bigger allowing for large holding areas after pre-pulling of boarding passes. Only gate 11 is designed for this and can hold approximately 100 passengers after pulling of boarding passes.

 

[Jerry]

Based on the layout of the airport on-time performance will likely decrease however as the criteria is within 15 minutes of scheduled departure time then it may not make that much of a difference.

Aircraft on Stands 1 & 3 cannot push at the same time.
Nothing on stand 12-17 can push at the same time.
There needs to be a gap of one stand between anything pushing back from 8-11.

So effectively the maximum amount of aircraft that can push at any single time is 4 (Or 5 if you use Stands 4&5).

The design of the airport in general is poor both terminal and apron. In an ideal world you would want to start from scratch and make the most of the land available for parking positions especially to cope with large events. Check-in hall would need to be expanded not only the number of desks but it's length for the queues.

Room at the boarding gates would be much bigger allowing for large holding areas after pre-pulling of boarding passes. Only gate 11 is designed for this and can hold approximately 100 passengers after pulling of boarding passes.

Hopefully in the future if they they build a new terminal then the poor layout will be corrected. With stands 1 and 3 can they be used when a wide body is parked on stand 7?

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

The only restriction is if a Boeing 787-900 is parked on Stand 7 due to its length.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Jerry

I read a suggestion you made recently on another aviation message board about the recruitment of volunteers to assist passengers at CWL, something you say they do at Portland Airport.

They've also been doing this at an airport much closer to CWL for a number of years. I'm not sure that I agree with the principle of this with people working for nothing to assist a multi billion pound private organisation make money at one of their infrastructure investments. I suppose though it's the free choice of the individual if they become involved. It might be a way for some people to indulge their aviation hobby but I still think it's a bit of a cheek.

Perhaps with CWL being under public ownership there might be more of a case to ask people to help out at an airport they indirectly own.

https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about-us/careers/volunteer-programme

What next? Tesco asking for unpaid volunteers to help customers pack their bags at the check-out?

 

[Jerry]

I read a suggestion you made recently on another aviation message board about the recruitment of volunteers to assist passengers at CWL, something you say they do at Portland Airport.

Portland Airport is owned by the Port of Portland which is considered a regional government and it's essentially overseen by the State of Oregon so it's similar to CWL where it's owned/responsible to a public body rather than a board of directors like Bristol would be.
From what i've seen the volunteers are only at the international arrivals part to help foreign tourists like me and to try and give a friendly impression of the state of Oregon. Oregon is a very green state and does rely on a lot of visitors to places like Mt Hood for hiking and skiing and camping in the wilderness. I think for many it's their way of helping their local community and give a positive start to people's visit to Portland and as well helping many of them to get out of the house during the day. Whether their expenses are covered i don't know, i'd hope so.
Would it be a good idea for CWL? Having someone to help and maybe give you positive experience after you've landed in a new airport may help in bringing that person back the next time they plan a holiday abroad. For example my view of Portland when landing has always been positive yet when i used Seattle inbound one time i determined it would be the last as i found it confusing and there wasn't any help. It might just be a unique touch like that that helps bring people back.

 

[Aviador]

I'm uneasy about the use of "airport ambassadors" too, Leeds has also dabbled with them. Portland, Bristol, Leeds, wherever, if airports are serious about improving customer service, then they need to get their customer service teams mobile and moving around the terminal. It's no good just waiting for people to come to them whilst sitting at an information desk.

 

[Jerry]

It's no good just waiting for people to come to them whilst sitting at an information desk.

I think it provides a more friendlier version. They are more there to just help you navigate arrivals and guide you through there than anything else. Once you get through then there are dedicated places that'll ring your hotel for you so they can send a shuttle bus to helping with local transport etc.

 

[Jerry]

Just seen a post on WAF and the poster believes that all 3 airbridges 7 and 10 the working ones and 9 the not working will be replaced. If that happens that will be a nice little boost for the airport and the experience of many of it's passengers. Also will be interesting to see which airlines actually use them.

 

[Aviador]

Just seen a post on WAF and the poster believes that all 3 airbridges 7 and 10 the working ones and 9 the not working will be replaced. If that happens that will be a nice little boost for the airport and the experience of many of it's passengers. Also will be interesting to see which airlines actually use them.

That is great news if true. They are expensive to purchase as is their upkeep but they are hugely popular with passengers. It's something you will hear time and time again at the airport, passengers complaining about having to walk outside in the elements.

 

[Jerry]

That is great news if true. They are expensive to purchase as is their upkeep but they are hugely popular with passengers. It's something you will hear time and time again at the airport, passengers complaining about having to walk outside in the elements.

Personally i'd be surprised if they were new but even refurbished second hand ones that are fully working and adjustable will be a big plus. People do seem to see them as a positive thing even though especially at CWL the walk to the aircraft can be quite short.