Cardiff: Route Development & Rumours

[Jerry]

I don`t believe PIA will ever start as they don`t have the aircraft to operate outside MAN and CDG at present not even LHR

I don't think I'll be getting my hopes up about this route!

 

[Jerry]

I do find it a bit ironic that Wales and Scotland could have government's led by nationalist parties in May 2026 but no air link between them leading to any politicians travelling between the 2 either going via Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands or England.
I'd hope that whoever leads either government's will be engaging with airlines to restore the air link between the 2 countries

Plaid Cymru and SNP leaders discuss forming 'progressive alliance'

Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney said they want to give voters a "positive alternative" to Westminster.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Samdorob]

I'd hope that whoever leads either government's will be engaging with airlines to restore the air link between the 2 countries

There aren’t really many options left.
These are the ones I can think of. All of which I think are unlikely.
- Loganair making a return. Or perhaps Loganair providing a Manchester flight with the option of connecting to EDI.
- Ryanair.
- Emerald doing some sort of W pattern.
- BA on some sort of W rotation.
- EasyJet.

 

[Jerry]

There aren’t really many options left.
These are the ones I can think of. All of which I think are unlikely.
- Loganair making a return. Or perhaps Loganair providing a Manchester flight with the option of connecting to EDI.
- Ryanair.
- Emerald doing some sort of W pattern.
- BA on some sort of W rotation.
- EasyJet.

Yep that is the problem. There's slim pickings. Loganair would have to be convinced to drop another route. A W pattern for Emerald would likely make an aircraft unavailable for a another route and with the exception of Glasgow to Gatwick for BA they don't seem interested in intra-Britain routes. Ryanair is the most likeliest but the problem there depends on how many UK reg aircraft they have available and if there are gaps in the schedule at Edinburgh for them to operate such a route. BA just isn't going to happen as they don't have an interest in non London routes unless they're charters to holiday destinations for Cityflyer on the weekends. Easyjet would be the most ideal option but they've never shown an interest in flying to Wales and Cardiff as a destinations in their own rights let alone been willing to operate Edinburgh to Cardiff. They just want everyone to fly from Bristol and are probably very happy the route is ending.
I think its a sad irony that Wales as a country could end up with its most pro Wales government in the way the party sees Wales as a country yet be less connected internationally than its ever been with the loss of routes like Edinburgh, Barcelona, Paris, Doha, Milan and Munich and Amsterdam down to 2 daily flights from 3 with many of those routes unlikely to ever return.

 

[Jerry]

Keeping the fingers crossed for Cardiff! Maybe Loganair have realised the terrible mistake they made in dropping Cardiff!😀

https://twitter.com/x/status/1987844431710679319

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Rumours of long haul with Pakistan and Canada previously hinted at. Or maybe even a return from QR.

Pakistan is a non starter in my opinion. Canada could work with the right aircraft though.

 

[Jerry]

Fingers crossed 🤞 would be great to see a scheduled long haul route back at Cardiff. Out of those options I suspect it's take your pick between Canada and Qatar Airways. If the former hopefully Wales will qualify to the football World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.

 

[bluebirdry]

Keeping the fingers crossed for Cardiff! Maybe Loganair have realised the terrible mistake they made in dropping Cardiff!😀

https://twitter.com/x/status/1987844431710679319

Likely to be some extra choice for holidays instead..

 

[geoff]

I remember it must be about a year ago, Qatar obtained slots for a four weekly service to Doha, I wonder if they are still in force, or do they have to surrender the slots if they are not used within twelve months.

 

[CWL94]

Likely to be some extra choice for holidays instead..

From Cardiff? Or other airports?

 

[geoff]

From CWL.

 

[Tinkerman]

Bigger than Loganair … The contract was signed a while ago but has been under wraps.

 

[CWL94]

Bigger than Loganair … The contract was signed a while ago but has been under wraps.

Long haul?

 

[Jerry]

Long haul?

Probably or maybe a European hub airline?

 

[bluebirdry]

Let's just say growth needs a solid base, it won't be 1 jet.

Wonder why VY are quiet?

 

[Nuffsaid]

Let's just say growth needs a solid base, it won't be 1 jet.

Wonder why VY are quiet?

That’s appears to be a cryptic statement. Do you know something that we don’t?

Let’s hope we don’t lose Vueling.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

Apparently CWL are being very secretive of the news to not let it be spoilt before any official announcements. It must be big if that’s their approach

 

[geoff]

I wonder if Bluebirdy is talking about Ryanair, bigger than Loganair, and more then 1 jet, that would be a solid base, Just trying to work out his cryptic message.

 

[Jack Ruckley]

I wonder if Bluebirdy is talking about Ryanair, bigger than Loganair, and more then 1 jet, that would be a solid base, Just trying to work out his cryptic message.

I’m just sceptical about Ryanair and the UK operations at the moment as APD has not changed and with the budget coming, it may go up and FR CEO has been critical of this as a factor for less growth.

Despite this there was that long haul route that was supposedly signed off and deal complete recently.

But if Bluebirdy is talking a solid base it must be Ryanair. No way would EZY or LS or LM set up here. Maybe more unexpected twists.

No matter what I’ve been briefed that CWL don’t want it ruined before an official announcement so even I have no clue what it is.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

I’m just sceptical about Ryanair and the UK operations at the moment as APD has not changed and with the budget coming, it may go up and FR CEO has been critical of this as a factor for less growth.

Despite this there was that long haul route that was supposedly signed off and deal complete recently.

But if Bluebirdy is talking a solid base it must be Ryanair. No way would EZY or LS or LM set up here. Maybe more unexpected twists.

No matter what I’ve been briefed that CWL don’t want it ruined before an official announcement so even I have no clue what it is.

O'leary screams about a lot of things, but FR in the UK is a huge market for them that hasn't shrunk because of APD.

I wouldnt discount Jet2 just yet. They want to grow at BRS but can't due to space. TUI expansion at CWL may have peaked their interest.
If VY dont return, Jet2 could pick up slack on Malaga and Alicante and even Palma 4-5 weekly which would easily occupy 2 aircraft each morning alone.

There will always be leaks before official announcements through insider knowledge or eagle eyed enthusiasts that notice things on sale. Hopefully any new things will be out soon as its getting very late for big summer 26 news.

From looking back through posts on here both FR and VY had route announcements on 12th Nov last year. FR was at other UK airports, but looks like this week in November may be a time for airline route updates.