Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[Jerry]

News

4 MAY
Gulf Aviation wins contract with Cardiff Airport
Gulf Aviation, which is national fuel supplier Certas Energy’s aviation brand, secured a supply contract to provide the essential supply of Jet A1 fuel to the airport which offers flights to short haul and long haul destinations through a number of airlines including Flybe, KLM, Vueling, Iberia Express, Thomson Airways, Ryanair and Thomas Cook Airlines. The deal also includes refuelling vehicles.



Gulf Aviation, which has been supplying the UK aviation market for more than seven years, is headed up by Alex Murphy. Commenting on the contract win, Alex said: “Since Gulf Aviation’s inception in 2009, the company has been servicing smaller private and business airfields, as well as flying clubs. While this continues to form the core business, during the past five years our scope has extended to regional airports and supplying direct to airlines.



“This latest contract with Cardiff Airport is an important win for us, extending our work with regional airports, and enabling us to showcase the benefits of working with a specialist supplier with extensive experience of the aviation industry.”


Deb Barber, CEO at Cardiff Airport said: “As the Airport grows passengers will remain the lifeblood of the business however we are focussed on diversifying our offer and in house capabilities. Working with Gulf Aviation is a key step forward in developing choice for our commercial airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.”
https://www.cardiff-airport.com/news/2017/05/04/gulf-aviation-wins-contract-with-cardiff-airport/

 

[Jerry]

News

11 MAY
UK Airport’s Safety week launches at Cardiff
Cardiff Airport has launched the second ‘UK Airports Safety Week’ in conjunction with the Airport Operators Association (AOA).

The airport-led initiative, which runs until 14th May will take place across over 50 UK airports and aims to promote and demonstrate the importance of safety to the airport team, visitors and customers alike.

From tours of Air Traffic Control, to tours of the airfield there is an opportunity to take part in a range of fun and educational activities over the duration of the week.

Staff are able to join in the pushback of an aircraft, drive a baggage truck and to shadow a despatcher on an aircraft turnaround. Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walks on the airfield to spot litter will also take place. Cardiff Airport’s Bird Control Unit will present on its in depth training programme as well as teaching children about the variety of birds living around the airport.

Pop-up stands featuring information on the increase in drones and laser attacks on airports will be showcased by South Wales Police showing the dangers of such activity near aircraft. UK Border Force will be running educational stands on FGM and human trafficking highlighting the issues.

There will be quizzes for adults and children, safety videos and presentations running throughout the week.

The event was officially launched by Cardiff Airport CEO, Deb Barber with the help of Cochyn the Dragon from Llanelli Scarlets, who will be on hand throughout the week encouraging customers to take part.

Deb Barber, CEO at Cardiff Airport said; “Safety and security is our number one priority and we are focused on building a strong safety culture, continually improving whilst maintaining regulatory compliance. Every team member plays a key part in understanding how individual roles impact on the performance of, and confidence in our safety and security delivery.

“I am delighted we are able to support the AOA Safety week for a second time, building on the success of 2016. The week is a great opportunity for us to engage with staff across the whole Airport and with our customers travelling through. The varied, interactive schedule is both educational and fun while showing the breadth of activity across the site. It is a great opportunity to see how much goes into running an airport and keeping both staff and passengers safe.”

 

[Jerry]

With reference to the new fuel supplier i always thought airlines bought their fuel in advance? So would the airports supplier then have to bill the airline's supplier or the airline? Or is it the airport that does that and then pay Gulf?

 

[Jerry]

Some good news for the airport and the area both the Conservatives and Labour have pledged to scrap the Severn bridge tolls when the bridge reverts to public ownership in 2018. So whoever wins then the tolls should be gone which will make Cardiff Airport less costly to access for people in the West Country and also could encourage more people and companies to move into South Wales and give them a charge free commute to the Bristol area. Working for a logistics firm as i do then that should also help to bring down their costs.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-pledges-scrap-severn-crossing-13041811

 

[Bcn_boy]

Fantastic news if any of them can pull it off. I have always said that the tolls have been a barrier to economic growth in South Wales as well as the airport. it will hopefully allow the airport to concentrate more on freight and logistics business, particularly with the arrival of Qatar in 2018.

 

[Bcn_boy]

Fantastic news if any of them can pull it off. I have always said that the tolls have been a barrier to economic growth in South Wales as well as the airport. it will hopefully allow the airport to concentrate more on freight and logistics business, particularly with the arrival of Qatar in 2018.

 

[Severn]

Personally I don't see that the tolls have any standing when people are looking to buy their many hundred £ flights or holidays, and to most they don't even consider it before they've booked.

Remember that for those from Bristol, BRS is only 15-20 mins drive, CWL is 1hr5 - 1hr 15 and BHX and LHR are between 1hr30- 1hr50 drive.
For those living in Cardiff, CWL is 25-30 mins drive, BRS is 1hr - 1hr 10, BHX is 1hr50- 2hr10 and LHR is a 2hr - 2hr 30 drive (all taken from google maps with light traffic).
Therefore for those living in the Bristol and the south west, CWL is always in close competition with BHX and LHR when people are looking for flights and holidays. In contrast, for those living in Cardiff and South Wales, BRS is clearly the second choice by distance, as it's nearly double the time to get to the third choice, BHX (and to a lesser extent LHR).

This surely could also be more of a reason for those Welsh who do factor the tolls into their prices to instead use BRS airport once the tolls are scrapped?

 

[Tinkerman]

Personally I don't see that the tolls have any standing when people are looking to buy their many hundred £ flights or holidays, and to most they don't even consider it before they've booked.

Remember that for those from Bristol, BRS is only 15-20 mins drive, CWL is 1hr5 - 1hr 15 and BHX and LHR are between 1hr30- 1hr50 drive.
For those living in Cardiff, CWL is 25-30 mins drive, BRS is 1hr - 1hr 10, BHX is 1hr50- 2hr10 and LHR is a 2hr - 2hr 30 drive (all taken from google maps with light traffic).
Therefore for those living in the Bristol and the south west, CWL is always in close competition with BHX and LHR when people are looking for flights and holidays. In contrast, for those living in Cardiff and South Wales, BRS is clearly the second choice by distance, as it's nearly double the time to get to the third choice, BHX (and to a lesser extent LHR).

This surely could also be more of a reason for those Welsh who do factor the tolls into their prices to instead use BRS airport once the tolls are scrapped?

I actually agree with what you've said there Severn, a couple of £'s on especially a QR fare is next to nothing and will not sway people to the extent most believe.

However, it is seen as something of a staple charge, which does psychologically act on people whatever the price may be. People say 'Oh yes, fly from Cardiff (from a Bristol or South-West Perspective) and you'll have to pay for the bridge'. So getting rid of them entirely would be great for the South Wales economy, not to mention freight and similar operations that use the bridge on a regular basis, which can sum to hundreds of thousands of pounds per year.

However i do see this as appeasement by the Conservatives to the people of Wales for the upcoming General Election, it's a policy that will stick in the minds of many.

 

[Bcn_boy]

Personally I don't see that the tolls have any standing when people are looking to buy their many hundred £ flights or holidays, and to most they don't even consider it before they've booked.

Remember that for those from Bristol, BRS is only 15-20 mins drive, CWL is 1hr5 - 1hr 15 and BHX and LHR are between 1hr30- 1hr50 drive.
For those living in Cardiff, CWL is 25-30 mins drive, BRS is 1hr - 1hr 10, BHX is 1hr50- 2hr10 and LHR is a 2hr - 2hr 30 drive (all taken from google maps with light traffic).
Therefore for those living in the Bristol and the south west, CWL is always in close competition with BHX and LHR when people are looking for flights and holidays. In contrast, for those living in Cardiff and South Wales, BRS is clearly the second choice by distance, as it's nearly double the time to get to the third choice, BHX (and to a lesser extent LHR).

This surely could also be more of a reason for those Welsh who do factor the tolls into their prices to instead use BRS airport once the tolls are scrapped?

It is definitely viewed as a barrier for those from the south west to cross the bridge, it is always the butt of jokes from that side of the Severn. It is a business and a psychological barrier. The sooner it's gone the better.

 

[Jerry]

This surely could also be more of a reason for those Welsh who do factor the tolls into their prices to instead use BRS airport once the tolls are scrapped?

When it comes to the welsh using BRS the tolls aren't a factor as they have always been there and well we have no choice but to pay unless we don't want to go home! Whereas the English do have the option of not choosing to pay them. Whereas now they might make not make much of a difference, as CWL (hopefully) grows and attracts new airlines and new services then that barrier won't be there any more and CWL will become a more viable alternative for the people of Bristol. Also with Qatar launching it's new service there is no charge now on freight (£20 at the moment) using CWL instead of LHR or BHX.
I'm also wondering if the Conservative's are being canny and announcing as an election promise something that was already going to happen, with Qatar starting in 2018 and now the tolls going in 2018 as well they may well be linked!

 

[Severn]

When it comes to the welsh using BRS the tolls aren't a factor as they have always been there and well we have no choice but to pay unless we don't want to go home! Whereas the English do have the option of not choosing to pay them. Whereas now they might make not make much of a difference, as CWL (hopefully) grows and attracts new airlines and new services then that barrier won't be there any more and CWL will become a more viable alternative for the people of Bristol. Also with Qatar launching it's new service there is no charge now on freight (£20 at the moment) using CWL instead of LHR or BHX.
I'm also wondering if the Conservative's are being canny and announcing as an election promise something that was already going to happen, with Qatar starting in 2018 and now the tolls going in 2018 as well they may well be linked!

This is true, except with no start date or aircraft type confirmed, it is a little hasty to jump to that conclusion maybe...

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The removal of the tolls will certainly help the South Wales economy but may have an adverse effect on house prices - adverse for those seeking to buy.

Already the move to south-east Wales from those living in the Bristol area is pushing up house prices in Gwent. A report in the Bristol press recently quoted a Gwent estate agent saying that 80% of house purchase enquiries currently emanate from the Bristol area where house prices are amongst the highest in the UK outside the London area. As people look to move from Greater Bristol into South Wales people in the London area are moving in droves to the Bristol area where prices there (to them) are still reasonable as they have big chunks of money to spend from their London house sales.

Incidentally, this is causing serious crowding problems on commuter trains as these people travel to London each day for work from Bristol, Bath, Chippenham.

A few weeks ago one of the local tv channels gave some figures for people who had moved from Bristol to South Wales, some as far as Cardiff, in the past year but who continue to commute to Bristol for work. The numbers were incredible - in the thousands. They presented some case studies with one young family man saying that for the price of a small house in Bristol he was able to buy a large detached one with land near Newport, so he was better off even though he had to commute to Bristol for work each day. So no tolls will make the lives of people like him easier, and also people like my son who lives in Bristol but commutes to Newport each day to work.

In 50 years' time it will be interesting for social historians of the day to look back at how populations migrated and changed in character in the areas on both side of the Severn estuary.

In fact, removal of tolls will help both sides of the estuary although I suspect that South Wales will enjoy the greater benefit.

 

[Jerry]

Great little article in Wales Online today about the Air Traffic Control operation at Cardiff airport and what they do and how they have prepared for the Champions League weekend.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/what-looks-like-inside-cardiff-13058931

 

[Jerry]

Cardiff airport will handle 24,000 plus fans during the Champions League weekend. Both finalists will arrive at the airport and depart using 'Terminal 1' (the usual terminal), there will be 400 extra aircraft movements and Juventus fans will use the new (temporary) Terminal 2! Does that make CWL the smallest airport to have 2 terminals?
I believe 'Terminal 2' is situated on the grass between BAMC and the GA apron where stands 12-17 are.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/24000-plus-fans-fly-cardiff-13103803

 

[Jerry]

It has been a very busy day for CWL today. Unfortunately i was unable to go to the airport today to watch it all as i had to work but i have been watching it all on FR24 as aircraft after aircraft landed and took off at CWL. So now as the last Champions League flights arrive i thought i'd do a summary of what the airport has handled.
Vueling 12x A320's.
Iberia 2x A340s, 1x A321
Alitalia 12x A320's, 2x A321, 1x A319, 1x A330
Mistral Air 2x 737 400
AlbaStar 4x 737 400
Blue Panorama 2x 737 800
Blue Air 1x 737 400
Ernest Airlines 2x A319
Carpatair 1x Fokker 100
Czech Airlines 1x A319
Air Horizont 1x 737 400
Meridiana 1x 737 800
Astra Airlines 1x Bae 146
Titan Airways 1x 767 300, 1x A320, 1x 757
Thomson Airways 6x 737 800 (the 2 based aircraft returned in the early hours of the morning)
Thomas Cook 2x A320
Flybe 5x E195, 4x Q400, 1x ATR 72
KLM 2x 737 700, 1x E175

In summary that is 74 arrivals (that's without business jets) with a capacity of 11,706 seats of which 8,890 were dedicated for the Champions League. 51 of the arrivals were Champions League related.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A busy day with a heck of a lot of variety.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Jerry - I read a post elsewhere about the viewing area today on the southside with a complaint that the toilets there are portaloos (why do I always think of a former cabinet minister now a tv presenter?). Is this an official viewing area?

Bristol has a pull-in along a narrow country lane and for the toilet it's a case of hopping over a gate into a field and standing by the hedge.

 

[Seasider]

Sorry to digress, but there is a toilet next to the viewing deck at BCN.

 

[Jerry]

Is this an official viewing area?

I think it is yes for the Champions league at least. Not sure if it's permanent but the airport did designate a viewing area for the southside though many of the spotters aren't keen on it because of the fence in the way.

A busy day with a heck of a lot of variety

Yes it was and i don't think CWL has had 4 widebodies (not including BAMC) in the same day for quite a while not least 2 on the ground at the same time.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Unless something dramatic happens it's going to be a glum lot of Juve supporters heading back to Turin.