Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[Foxlimayankee]

That's where Spencer is the man who knows what CWL needs. He has a great reputation in working with the Airlines and a very difficult job to try and persuade them to come to CWL! If he were to continue permanently as the CEO, I'm sure his search for his replacement would bring in the right person as he knows exactly what type of person he will need to replace him.
Although Deb didn't have experience on the passenger side when she started, being ex military, she had a wealth of knowledge in Airport operations. Any new CEO if not Spencer, would need an extensive Airport background, as the new chairman already lacks Airport experience.

 

[Jerry]

It might be Spencer Birns. Debra Barber (as she then was) was interim MD at first before becoming MD, which later became CEO.

I just edited my post to say that there could be a case for him as he obviously knows the airport well and should have the industry contacts and then the airport could focus on recruiting a new person for route development then.

 

[TOM100]

I have to say I strongly disagree with the Spencer argument for a whole host of reasons but hey ho it will be what it is. I do agree tho whoever is appointed has a monumental task on their hands to keep the airport viable.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

The question is who would then replace Spencer in in his current role if he became permanent CEO of Cardiff Airport?

The second question would Spencer Birns be better suited in his current role or would he be better as CEO and having someone fresh taking up the commercial role?

 

[Jerry]

With a new Chairman maybe having a CEO who is familiar with the airport and then bring in new blood below him from the regional airport scene might be the direction for the airport to take.

 

[geoff]

I think Spencer would be excellent in the CEO role, he has loads of experience, and has been a loyal servant to CWL for many years thru the bad and better times. The problem would be replacing him in his present role at a struggling airport at this time, having said that all airports are struggling at present.

 

[Jerry]

The problem would be replacing him in his present role at a struggling airport at this time, having said that all airports are struggling at present.

I think you'd need someone who relished a challenge!

 

[Jerry]

Written Statement: International Travel Regulations (9 July 2020) | GOV.WALES

Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister

gov.wales

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

About time some clarity. But to do this less than 24 hours before it’s relaxed is ludicrous.

 

[Jerry]

Could possibly effect Cardiff Airport in the future in relation to any money going to airlines like Qatar or possibly any future loans or grants to the airport from the Welsh government.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282417306342174721

 

[Nigel B]

I am wondering if there is any bias in UK airlines and UK govt, with regard to CWL. maybe because it is owned by the Welsh Labour govt and
not owned/run commercially. I wonder what the demand for outbound and inbound passengers would be if CWL had airlines like Easyjet or Ryanair (on a much bigger route network).Just a thought.

 

[Jerry]

I think that a lot of it is down to perception. Welsh people see the airport as important and that it should be connecting Wales to the world as Wales is a country.
I think the UK government and airlines like Easyjet don't see it that way. To them Cardiff is a small regional airport which isn't a priority to help or serve.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I wonder what the demand for outbound and inbound passengers would be if CWL had airlines like Easyjet or Ryanair (on a much bigger route network).Just a thought.

If easyJet or Ryanair operated the former Flybe CWL routes, for example, there is little doubt that they would carry more passengers than Flybe did. Their name and fare structure would see to that.

As is always the case the yield is the thing that drives airlines and we know that very good loads don't always mean acceptable yields for airlines.

Ryanair told a government committee that if APD was axed they would be able to operate a decent network at CWL. Whether that was simply something they would say as part of their longstanding campaign to see aviation taxes reduced/abolished everywhere is difficult to judge. One of our members who seems to have a knowledge of airline company workings from the inside said recently that the CWL Scottish routes might be viable for Loganair if there was no APD.

I think that a lot of it is down to perception. Welsh people see the airport as important and that it should be connecting Wales to the world as Wales is a country.
I think the UK government and airlines like Easyjet don't see it that way. To them Cardiff is a small regional airport which isn't a priority to help or serve.

I suppose that airlines only look at the bottom line on any route or group of routes at any airport. They have no responsibility to support any individual airport if there is little or nothing in it for them.

I'm certainly not an apologist for the UK Government but they would see CWL as the WG's responsibility, particularly as they own it.

 

[Jerry]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282687652916068359

 

[Em0866]

I remember a 727 was a regular visitor years ago to CWL, with a weekly Air Atlantis to Faro and Aviogenex to Pula. Can anyone remember any others?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I remember a 727 was a regular visitor years ago to CWL, with a weekly Air Atlantis to Faro and Aviogenex to Pula. Can anyone remember any others?

Dan Air and Iberia had B727s that they used on IT charter flights to the UK. I'm guessing they must have used CWL at times in the 1980s with these aircraft.

 

[Seasider]

Air Malta leased an ATA B727 in the 80's (I think), they may have used Cardiff.

 

[geoff]

I travelled from CWL to Tenerife, on a Sterling 727, chartered by Avro for passengers on a seat only basis, in the early 90's.

 

[Nuffsaid]

I remember the Portuguese Air Columbus 727’s very well. I was on a flight from Faro to CWL with family and we had an emergency landing at CWL and had to evacuate on the runway. Turned out to be a hoax in my opinion call that a bomb was on board. I still recall the burning feeling on the arms as we went down the escape slides. Still, they were very professional onboard and through the evacuation.

 

[Jerry]

I honestly don't think I've seen a 727 in the flesh, gutted that I missed it!