Infrastructure Developments

[Jerry]

I did see a post elsewhere saying that while stand 7 is in use only stand 1 can be used. Looking at when i travelled out of the airport at Easter the Belfast 06.00 departure was parked on stand 3 and the Dublin 07.00 departure was parked on stand 1. There is several times a week an 06.30 arrival from Doha so it'll be interesting to see if they overnight aircraft on stand 3 prior to that they may wish to keep it free as a just in case.

 

[Aviador]

There is a NOTAM here (or link below) which shows the repositioning of the stands. Stand 7 is reconfigured for airbridge use for code D and E aircraft and new stand 7L for code C. New stand 8R is for code C with airbridge.
http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/aip/EG_SUP_2018_016_en.pdf

View attachment 8390
Image: http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com
I've got to say, that seems an incredibly complicated stand layout.

 

[Jerry]

View attachment 8390
Image: http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com
I've got to say, that seems an incredibly complicated stand layout.

Yep and also some of the stands can't be used while others are in use. Stand 2 for instance can't be used if there is aircraft on 1 and 3 and 1 and 3 if there is an aircraft on 2. So it looks like we'll get more restrictions with the new stand 7 but they have at least created a new stand which isn't restricted.

 

[Aviador]

Yep and also some of the stands can't be used while others are in use. Stand 2 for instance can't be used if there is aircraft on 1 and 3 and 1 and 3 if there is an aircraft on 2. So it looks like we'll get more restrictions with the new stand 7 but they have at least created a new stand which isn't restricted.

It's not a problem unique to Cardiff as so many UK airports have infrastructure dating back to the 60's when aircraft were so much smaller and airports were so much quieter.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

If the A350 is longer than the B787-8 the. May not fit within the Stand margin unless they close Stand 1 off during the inaugural flight.

 

[Jerry]

According to Wikipedia the A350 900 is 66.8 metres long, the A350 1000 is 73.78 metres long. The 787 8 is 56.72 metres long, the 787 9 is 62.8 metres long while the 787 10 is 68.2 metres long. Also the A330 200 is 58.8 metres long and the A330 300 is 63.7 metres long.

Considering the importance of the event that will be the inaugural flight then if the A350 is too long for the stand i'd have thought they'd just close off Stands 1 2 and 3 for the 3 hours the aircraft will be on the ground. After all the money spent on the new bridge and realigning the stands having to bus the first flight and no doubt the dignataries like Carwyn Jones may look a bit embarrasing.

 

[Jerry]

The official opening of the new departure lounge is happening this morning. Also noticed that some of the seats now have charging points.
https://twitter.com/ILovesTheDiff/status/986502074509688833?s=19

 

[Jerry]

Forgot to mention it was opened by Ken Skates Economy and Transport Secretary and Sam Warburton the British and Irish Lions Captain former Wales Captain and Cardiff Blues player.

 

[Jerry]

As part of the new upgrades Cardiff Airport now has a new business lounge called 51°.
www.cardiff-airport.com/news/2018/04/18/cardiff-airports-terminal-improvements-unveiled/

 

[aviatorconcorde]

As part of the new upgrades Cardiff Airport now has a new business lounge called 51°.
www.cardiff-airport.com/news/2018/04/18/cardiff-airports-terminal-improvements-unveiled/

Just seen this in the pictures - CWL has also been removed from the listing of Priority Pass lounges (probably temporary).

Someone was kicking up a fuss about the lounge on flyertalk forum. They were going to spend an extra £1000 to fly from heathrow because the CWL lounge doesn't offer champagne! They said they use CWL for flights to Spain so i'm sure they must be based locally! Each to their own I guess.

 

[Jerry]

I've seen a few photos and it looks good. I'm tempted to use it next time to have a good look around.
I'd wish people like that would just try CWL first and see what its like and not just complain without trying it. I do wonder if with some people its so ingrained into them flying from Heathrow and Bristol no matter what CWL does it won't be good enough.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I've seen a few photos and it looks good. I'm tempted to use it next time to have a good look around.
I'd wish people like that would just try CWL first and see what its like and not just complain without trying it. I do wonder if with some people its so ingrained into them flying from Heathrow and Bristol no matter what CWL does it won't be good enough.

Agreed!

I currently have no outbound flights booked out of CWL and just 1 inbound (DOH-CWL). Tempted to book a day trip just to try out the new lounge if my Priority Pass will let me!

 

[Jerry]

Agreed!

I currently have no outbound flights booked out of CWL and just 1 inbound (DOH-CWL). Tempted to book a day trip just to try out the new lounge if my Priority Pass will let me!

My next trip is at the end of June so might book it then.
Hopefully your pass will be excepted!

 

[Cardiffbay]

I've seen a few photos and it looks good. I'm tempted to use it next time to have a good look around.
I'd wish people like that would just try CWL first and see what its like and not just complain without trying it. I do wonder if with some people its so ingrained into them flying from Heathrow and Bristol no matter what CWL does it won't be good enough.

Looking good. Sadly lots of people saying the flight prices will be going to pay for it. Shame the airport is struggling to shake off this image but some people don’t understand and some people won’t listen.

 

[Jerry]

If anyone wants to see photos of the new lounge the link below to my twitter has a social media link to photo's of the new lounges.
https://twitter.com/JeremyBrookman2/status/986650727312437253?s=19
Also I found a video of the launch.

Looking good. Sadly lots of people saying the flight prices will be going to pay for it. Shame the airport is struggling to shake off this image but some people don’t understand and some people won’t listen.

Unfortunately CWL still has that tag of being expensive with many people hopefully one day it'll overcome it.

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

51 degrees lounge is what it used to be called if I'm correct back in 2006.

I am travelling to Venice 05MAY with Flybe so may see what the lounge actually offers before deciding whether or not to persuade the wife.

Hopefully they have upgraded their offering with something hot available similar to what's being offered by the Aspire lounge but it doubt it.

 

[Jerry]

51 degrees lounge is what it used to be called if I'm correct back in 2006.

I am travelling to Venice 05MAY with Flybe so may see what the lounge actually offers before deciding whether or not to persuade the wife.

Hopefully they have upgraded their offering with something hot available similar to what's being offered by the Aspire lounge but it doubt it.

I did see in a post that there will be a new Menu so hopefully it'll include hot food.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

51 degrees lounge is what it used to be called if I'm correct back in 2006.

I am travelling to Venice 05MAY with Flybe so may see what the lounge actually offers before deciding whether or not to persuade the wife.

Hopefully they have upgraded their offering with something hot available similar to what's being offered by the Aspire lounge but it doubt it.

I think they would have to put some sort of hot food on for Qatar Business customers.

 

[Jerry]

News

18 April
Cardiff Airport’s terminal improvements unveiled
Today (18th April) at a celebratory event within the terminal, Cardiff Airport marked the official unveiling of significant developments and improvements to Wales’ national airport.

Following months of works, many new aspects of the terminal and its surrounding infrastructure were revealed at the event to mark the start of the summer season and the next exciting phase in the Airport’s transformation.

The new look Departure Lounge was officially opened by The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates and Welsh international rugby union and Lions star Sam Warburton OBE, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque made from Welsh slate.

Guests from Welsh business, local politicians, contractors who played a key role in the projects along with media and online influencers also enjoyed a tour of the new-look Departure Lounge, sampled products and enjoyed entertainment by Only Boys Aloud. Guests were also treated to a limited edition goody bag filled with ‘Super CWL’ gifts, created in partnership with I Loves the ‘Diff to celebrate the terminal developments.

The £4 million investment into the improvement of the customer experience has seen developments to both the terminal and the Airport’s surrounding infrastructure.

Within the terminal these include:

• Additional seating in the Departure Lounge for passengers to relax before travelling, with stunning views of the runway
• WH Smith has relocated and extended its store in the Departure Lounge. The store now offers many more products including a Well Pharmacy range
• Two new Costa Coffee branches, one in the Arrivals Hall and a larger café for passengers in the Departure Lounge, offering a selection of healthy snacks, hot food options, sweet treats and hot beverages prepared by trained baristas
• A new look Executive Lounge and a brand new Business Lounge, renamed the 51ׄׄ° Lounge
• Upgrading the hold baggage screening system to meet enhanced security requirements.

Further improvements to Cardiff Airport’s surrounding infrastructure includes the opening of a new car hire centre, which is located close to the main terminal and is a base for EuropCar, Enterprise, Hertz and Avis to welcome visitors to Wales.

The car park will also be enhanced with the addition of a brand new Meet and Greet facility for customers, which is due to launch in the coming months.

Deb Barber, CEO at Cardiff Airport said; “Today’s unveiling is the culmination of months of planning and the hard work of the Cardiff Airport team and contractors who supported our vision of being an outstanding capital city airport delivering an exceptional customer experience.

“The latest investment will significantly transform the experience for customers, offering more choice and quality in modern, welcoming surroundings. This is especially important at a time when we are experiencing passenger growth and working with our airline partners to introduce more choice in services for our customers.

“With the summer season now underway and the imminent launch of Qatar Airways on May 1st these latest improvements show our commitment to our customers and we sincerely hope that everyone travelling through Cardiff will enjoy these new facilities.”

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, added: “I am delighted to be unveiling Cardiff Airport’s new departure longue today, along with the other improvements that have been designed to improve the customer experience.

“Since the Welsh Government acquired Cardiff Airport it has gone from strength to strength with passenger numbers now at nearly 1.5 million a year, and flights from the Airport landing at over 50 destinations.

“These latest improvements come at an exciting time for the Airport with new routes, including Qatar Airways’ long haul flights to the Middle East, starting soon and opening up exciting and new tourism and trade links between South Wales and the rest of the world. These new facilities put us in an excellent position to make the very most of those opportunities.”

Passenger numbers as of the end of the 2017/18 are currently 10% up, with over 1.48 million having flown through Cardiff Airport over the last 12 months. Passenger growth has grown by more than 50% since the change of ownership in March 2013, with double digit growth projected for the coming year.
https://www.cardiff-airport.com/news/2018/04/18/cardiff-airports-terminal-improvements-unveiled/

 

[mathers_wales_uk]

Some of the new stands were trialled today.

Stand 8R was used by a Flybe E175 prior to the aircraft being moved to Stand 7L
Flybe E195 G-FBEJ was then also trialled on Stand 8R.

To my knowledge the airbridge has yet to be trialled on an actual aircraft. Tests were carried out last Wednesday but no aircraft were involved.