Cardiff Airport - General Thread

[Jerry]

This is kind of CWL related as they do base aircraft on ACMI standby at CWL. There's story in BBC news online that Cardiff Aviation who operate a MRO and ACMI operation out of a hangar at St Athan and are chaired by Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden fame, have not being paying rent for the hangar to the Welsh government since they started up in 2012 but the actual amount is unknown. Hopefully this dispute will get sorted out and secure vital jobs but Bruce Dickinson has said before his company is losing money and business because of a dispute over landing rights.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-38691413

 

[TheLocalYokel]

This is kind of CWL related as they do base aircraft on ACMI standby at CWL. There's story in BBC news online that Cardiff Aviation who operate a MRO and ACMI operation out of a hangar at St Athan and are chaired by Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden fame, have not being paying rent for the hangar to the Welsh government since they started up in 2012 but the actual amount is unknown. Hopefully this dispute will get sorted out and secure vital jobs but Bruce Dickinson has said before his company is losing money and business because of a dispute over landing rights.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-38691413

I'm sure that both parties will want this sorted out as quickly as possible. The WG won't want to lose Cardiff Aviation.

I wonder what is the dispute over landing rights.

 

[Jerry]

I'm sure that both parties will want this sorted out as quickly as possible. The WG won't want to lose Cardiff Aviation.

I wonder what is the dispute over landing rights.

From what I've read it's something to do with the ILS at St Athan and ATC only being open 8 to 5. Several aircraft have had to divert to CWL in rougher weather and this kind of limits their business as obviously airlines want to get their aircraft in and serviced and back flying and not get charged extra at CWL. Also with their ACMI side they are probably getting charged extra to park at CWL instead of its own base. Fingers crossed they can sort something out.

 

[superking]

There was talk back along about the I L S not upgraded,as when the weather was bad aircraft landed in cwl until the weather was good enough to not rely on the I L S,as most landings are visual,with help from cwl radar. now if there is another problem with landings etc I know not what they are.

 

[superking]

jerry I said more or less the same lol.good morning to you.

 

[Jerry]

There's an article today in WalesOnline where the Conservative party has accused the Welsh government of 'buying extra' passengers for Cardiff Airport which the welsh government has denied.
The accounts for the year ending March 2016 show that the airports losses have gone up from the year end March 2015. 2015/16 accounts show a £4.035 million loss and in 2014/2015 a £2.583 million pound loss. Passenger numbers have gone up from 1 million in 2014 to 1.345 million in 2016. The Welsh government has denied paying incentives to or reduced landing fees to airlines while the Airport said commercial deals are confidential.
The irony is if the Welsh government hadn't have 'saved' the airport then the Conservatives would be the first to complain!
If Wales wants a successful airport then in the short term it might have to accept that Cardiff airport will make a loss to build it up to where it can be a successful airport that provides the people of Wales with as much access to the world and to their favourite holiday destinations as possible and the only way to do that is through investment and by attracting the right airlines for CWL and that will cost money and slowly but surely it looks like it will do that.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-government-denies-buying-extra-12491982

 

[TheLocalYokel]

As soon as CWL was purchased by the WG it became a political football with Conservatives instinctively against public ownership. I'm making no political statement in saying this because I have no party political allegiance: I'm just pointing out the inevitability of the situation.

It's an open secret that the WG's airport company paid Flybe a considerable sum (in millions of pounds) to get them back at the airport after they pulled out a year beforehand saying the CWL routes were uneconomic. If it suits their argument some people would say that is paying an airline to operate.

Private sector airports give incentives all the time to get airlines on board. The snag with a wholly publicly-owned airport is that because public money is involved airport finances will (rightly in my view) be scrutinised more closely by politicians, especially opposition politicians.

The WG is in a different position to that of a private sector owner. The latter's bottom line is running a profitable otherwise its shareholders will want to know why. Obviously the WG would like a profitable airport but it looks at the wider picture of serving the Welsh economy.

The CWL airport company could not go on year after year running up losses as even the public purse is not a bottomless pit. If CWL can be worked up in the years ahead it may be that private sector involvement will have to take a larger share of the airport company than the current Labour administration seems to want.

 

[Jerry]

Personally I don't think the taxpayer will get back it's 52 million and whatever money the WAG put into the airport in the future but if they can build up a successful airport that can stand on it's own 2 feet then the longer term benefits for the Welsh economy may bring that money back indirectly. Especially if using the Flybe base that Wales can get greater connectivity not only to European cities like Berlin and Rome and Paris but also to UK cities like London and hopefully in the future Leeds Manchester Newcastle and Inverness.
In the end though the welsh government will need to get some private sector partner onboard even just for political reasons.

 

[Jerry]

Another thing that wasn't mentioned was that I believe it was last CWL bought 2 brand new fire trucks and I doubt they come cheap so may have added to the losses of the airport. Does anyone know how much those trucks cost?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A quick look on the Net shows that US airport fire vehicles cost between 750,000 USD and 1.5 million USD.

The CWL airport company is supposed to be run as a bona fide business. If the WG puts in money with no intention or at least no worry about seeing it again they'd have to be careful because no private sector company could operate in that way -they'd soon be out of business - and it's what competitors will be looking at.

 

[Jerry]

Welsh rugby fans will be jetting this Six Nations. The airport is predicting 6,000 rugby fans will travel through Cardiff to go watch Wales play Italy, France and Scotland.
3600 fans will travel to Rome on the 5th February with 40 extra aircraft movements expected on airline including Vueling, Thomson and Jet2.
On the 25th February 1,100 fans will via Enterair totalling 15 extra aircraft movements in addition to Flybe's Edinburgh and Glasgow services.
Another 1,100 fans will travel for the Wales v France clash on the 18th March with Flybe, Carpatair and Vueling.
Also Aer Lingus and Ryaniar will be doing flights from Dublin over the weekend of the 10th March for the travelling Irish fans. Going to be a busy Six Nations period for CWL.

www.cardiff-airport.com/news/2017/01/24/welsh-rugby-fans-jet-away-to-catch-blues-this-6-nations

 

[Jerry]

Cardiff Airport has promoted Debra Barber to Chief Executive.

Cardiff Airport promotes Debra Barber to chief executive
Chairman Roger Lewis said the Rhoose-based airport has a significant strategy for growth

• SION BARRY
  • 05:00, 10 FEB 2017
  • UPDATED12:08, 10 FEB 2017
  BUSINESS
  
  
  
  Chairman of Cardiff Airport Roger Lewis with chief executive Debra Barber
  • New terminal building on the radar of Cardiff Airport
  In January it achieved 10% passenger growth compared to a year earlier. The rolling twelve months have seen an additional 178,000 passengers travelling through Cardiff - representing 15% growth for the period.
  
  
  
  
  
  Roger Lewis Chairman of Cardiff Airport
  Chairman of the airport, Roger Lewis, said : “I am delighted that we announce today Debra Barber as CEO of Cardiff Airport.
  
  "This appointment recognises the outstanding results Debra has delivered since becoming managing director in 2015 and on behalf of the board I thank Debra and her colleagues for all they have done.
  
  Cardiff Airport in 2016
  16%
  
  year on year passenger growth
  
  1.345m
  
  passengers chose to fly from Cardiff in 2016
  
  25%
  
  of the passengers are visitors to Wales
  
  £100m
  
  Overall GVA impact of airport to the local economy
  
  50
  
  destinations direct from the airport
  
  Cardiff Airport
  
  “We are hugely ambitious for Cardiff Airport and we have a significant strategy for growth. Over the course of the coming months the board will make further announcements on how we are strengthening our teams to ensure we continue to deliver the best possible airport for our passengers.”
  Wales came close to landing a 1,000 job investment from Boeing but could win future projects

Chief executive of Cardiff Airport Debra Barber
Ms Barber said: “This is a hugely exciting time for our national airport. There have been many positive developments over the last couple of years but, of course, we acknowledge that there is a still a lot to do.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the entire Airport team for striving tirelessly to set Cardiff Airport back onto its right path.

“The business is growing stronger and we are well positioned to deliver on our vision and mission generating significant economic benefit to Wales. Our successes to date have been very positive and I’m delighted to continue leading the team into what is proving to be an exciting next chapter.”

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm never quite sure what the difference is between an airport MD and an airport CEO. It would seem the latter is a step up.

The chairman is certainly hands-on and seems to take the lead in promoting the airport whereas at other airports it's invariably the CEO. Now that Ms Barber holds that position at CWL it will be interesting to see if she takes a bigger role in being the spokesperson for the airport.

 

[Jerry]

Yes it will be interesting to see what role she takes in the public eye and whether Roger Lewis takes a step back from beating the drum for the airport. At least the airport will have some continuity and I wonder who they'll recruit as MD or if the positions will be combined?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Yes it will be interesting to see what role she takes in the public eye and whether Roger Lewis takes a step back from beating the drum for the airport. At least the airport will have some continuity and I wonder who they'll recruit as MD or if the positions will be combined?

I don't know that airport companies usually have an MD and a CEO. As you say, she's probably combine both roles.

Made me think about airport company chairmen. BRS is owned by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan though a company called South West Airports Limited (SWAL). I haven't a clue who is the chairman of SWAL. He (or she) never seems to make any public comment.

Incidentally, the top picture makes it look as though Mr Lewis and Ms Barber have some sort of romantic entanglement. I'm sure they haven't but the picture did amuse me.

 

[Jerry]

I don't know that airport companies usually have an MD and a CEO. As you say, she's probably combine both roles.

Made me think about airport company chairmen. BRS is owned by Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan though a company called South West Airports Limited (SWAL). I haven't a clue who is the chairman of SWAL. He (or she) never seems to make any public comment.

Incidentally, the top picture makes it look as though Mr Lewis and Ms Barber have some sort of romantic entanglement. I'm sure they haven't but the picture did amuse me.

I wonder if it was just a clever way to give her a pay rise? Technically it's a promotion but I can't see Roger Lewis taking a back seat either especially now that the airport is starting to grow again and has lots of new routes for S17 and I've no doubt they are talking to airlines about winter 2017 and beyond. Summer 18 will be interesting. I'm really hoping we might see the start of another based airline at the airport.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

CWL really needs a substantial loco presence. Ryanair might be the favourite. If they wished they could have a number of routes without the need for a base in the first instance.

 

[Jerry]

CWL really needs a substantial loco presence. Ryanair might be the favourite. If they wished they could have a number of routes without the need for a base in the first instance.

I think the problem for CWL with trying to get Ryanair to base or serve the routes from other bases is that they might be worried about effecting their loads and yields out of BRS and Ryanair won't let the likes of Thomson or Thomas Cook book flights for packages I believe which they do with Easyjet at BRS.
Vueling is another contender but they don't have any bases in the UK so what would happen if the aircraft went tech or crew were sick? AMS and ORY aren't large bases in believe. They'd have to base in the UK first.
Only other 2 candidates would be Jet2 and Monarch and I think Monarch would be more likely than Jet2 considering they've just expanded and they wouldn't have routes at BRS to protect but tour operators can book on there flights. I do think that CWL needs a based LCC that doesn't fly out of BRS so any network can be developed for CWL itself without the airline wondering how it would effect their BRS routes.
But it could be a case of beggars can't be choosers!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Ryanair already flies/will fly out of CWL to TFS and FAO. Perhaps they think their own BRS loads won't be diluted but easyJet's will. It might be that it is already working on TFS with easyJet reducing its frequency in peak summer whilst Ryanair maintains its own frequency. There might be another reason for easyJet's decision of course.

Monarch and Jet2 seem the most obvious candidates if Ryanair is ruled out (although I'm not sure it is). I can't see easyJet pitching up at CWL, not in the foreseeable future anyway. There is also Norwegian but they only seem to have a big UK presence at LGW, with smaller offerings which are mainly sun routes from the likes of MAN and BHX.

 

[Jerry]

The T9 service is growing and quarterly figures up to September 2016 show an average of 13,200 passengers a month which can only grow as the airport gets busier.

T9 bus service grows as Cardiff Airport goes from strength to strength
The T9 bus service linking Cardiff with Cardiff Airport has experienced its best year on record, figures released by Welsh Government have revealed.

Quarterly figures up to September 2016 show an average of over 13,200 passengers a month used the service in the last year, with month on month growth every month since June 2014.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“Cardiff Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the UK and continues to go from strength to strength. I’ve been clear that a reliable, frequent bus service linking the airport to Cardiff and beyond is key if the airport is to reach its full potential and it’s encouraging to see that popularity of the T9 service has risen alongside the growth of the airport.

“The service, of course, serves a dual purpose - not only providing passengers from Wales and the South West with public access to the airport but also providing a vital public transport link to visitors. The airport continues to work hard to increase destinations, routes and possibilities on offer and I look forward to the T9 continuing to form part of this offering and building on these positive passenger trends.”

Debra Barber, CEO at Cardiff Airport added; “An express bus service is vital for a capital city airport and we are hugely encouraged by the growth of the T9 and keen for opportunities to link the airport to west Wales to be explored.

“As an airport we have huge ambitions for growth and improved surface access, including bus, road and rail links is critical in helping us achieve this.”