Rugby, Football and General Sport flights/charters.

[geoff]

I agree with you Sam, a regular EI flight, with its immigration for the US at Dublin Airport, would do well from CWL, and I'm sure that double day a few times a week wold be a success at BHD.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Just wish Aer lingus would pick up some scheduled routes to Dublin. I was just looking online and it looks like the Thursday flight back to Dublin has sold out!
Their BHD route also regularly sells really well but I feel like they’re dragging their heels on a second daily.

It would be great to see, and with EI would likely be more frequencies, such as double daily.
But I think CWL needs to be cautious in it's approach to maintain both FR and EI on the route. FR still seems to be growing on the route, varying between 4-6 weekly departures recently. Hopefully a good summer with good timings will do well this summer.
Historically the EI route didn't actually produce that many connecting passengers

 

[Jerry]

Historically the EI route didn't actually produce that many connecting passengers

I believe that's why they dropped the route before. There's not enough connecting passengers as well as point 2 point for 2 airlines to coexist unfortunately.

 

[Jerry]

Flights for the Wales v Ireland game.
In all there will be 48 flights to and from Ireland over the next 4 days.

20/2/2025
12:25 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3620 12.55 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3621
13:35 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3294 14.15 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3295
21/2/2025
08:20 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3620 08.55 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3621
09:45 Enter Air Dublin ENT567 (Charter)
11:00 Fly4 Dublin FFA003 (Charter)
13:00 Jet2 Dublin LS6714 (Charter)
13:35 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3294 14.15 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3295
15:45 Ryanair Dublin FR634 16.10 Ryanair Dublin FR635
16:25 Ryanair Dublin FR676 16.50 Ryanair Dublin FR677
16:30 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3624 17.00 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3625
19:00 Ryanair Dublin FR7850 19.25 Ryanair Dublin FR7851
22/2/2025
08.00 Sundair? Dublin SR8264 (Charter)
09.00 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3294 09.35 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3295
09.20 Ryanair Dublin FR634 09.45 Ryanair Dublin FR635
11.00 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3621 12.00 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3621
19.05 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3298 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3299
19.20 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3624 19.50 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3625
22.00 Sundair? Dublin SR8265 (Charter)
23/2/2025
07.55 Ryanair Dublin FR634 08.20 Ryanair Dublin FR635
08.10 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3290 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3291
09.00 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3294 09.35 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3295
10.55 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3292 11.35 Aer Lingus Dublin EI3293
12.25 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3620 12.55 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3621
13.00 Fly4 Dublin FFA004 (Charter)
13.00 Ryanair Dublin FR676 13.30 Ryanair Dublin FR677
14.00 Enter Air Dublin ENT568 (Charter)
15.00 Jet2 Dublin LS6715 (Charter)
16.30 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3624 17.00 Aer Lingus Belfast City EI3625
21.40 Ryanair Dublin FR7850 22.05 Ryanair Dublin FR7851

 

[geoff]

Four flights to Edinburgh next Thursday and Friday for the Six Nations Rugby, British Airways on Thurs (Welsh team), 3 on Friday one from TUI, and two from Loganair. Make that five flights, I forgot the Thursday Loganair flight.

 

[Jerry]

Wow that's pretty good for a Scotland game where there's a coach option.

 

[Jerry]

Nice too see some extra flights too Edinburgh for the Six Nations
View attachment 32076View attachment 32077

 

[Samdorob]

On the CWL Facebook group the reported Pax numbers for the two Loganairs heading out were full and nearly full. What was good to see were approx 50% loads coming to Cardiff. The route would probably do OK if it was double daily particularly on Sunday, Monday and Friday.

 

[Jerry]

On the CWL Facebook group the reported Pax numbers for the two Loganairs heading out were full and nearly full. What was good to see were approx 50% loads coming to Cardiff. The route would probably do OK if it was double daily particularly on Sunday, Monday and Friday.

Having the ATR72 on the route instead of the E145 could help make the route more affordable as it is expensive to fly with them.

 

[Jerry]

Looking at the arrivals board and CWL will get 10 extra flights from France for the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup finals.
3 from Lyon and 7 from Bordeaux.
Airlines include Albastar, Neos, Travel Service, TradeAir, Transavia & Orbest/Iberojet. With the flights from Dublin that gives an extra 27 departures over the weekend.
There's a small chance both Neos and Orbest/Iberojet maybe widebodies.

 

[Jerry]

For Cardiff Airport the airlift will be over the weekend of the 14/2/26-16/2/26 with the game on 15/2/26.
And the Welsh to Dublin exodus will be over 5/3/26-7/3/26 with the game on 6/3/26.
The game is on 22/2/26 & game 14/3/26 both in Cardiff.

Six Nations announce first Thursday night fixture and Friday Wales match

There will be a series of firsts in next year's tournament

www.walesonline.co.uk

 

[Jerry]

One for people to look out for tomorrow. An A330 900.View attachment 32491

 

[Jerry]

Good to see that the Welsh football team flying out of Cardiff Airport and getting a good send off to Euro 2025. Hopefully we'll see some fan charters as well for the tournament.

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2025-06-22/hundreds-wave-off-wales-as-they-head-to-the-euros?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLFIf9jbGNrAsUh6GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEekAXT73Itxr9tg3VjyeRfH705K4w_R-vEnQ2rNAJYBJhrYJCDuMxwT5vLDCo_aem_dJ2MRttwXeAT3PTks9ju8Q

 

[Jerry]

This is what's extra for the 6 Nations from scheduled airlines
25 extra departures. 6 for France, 4 for Scotland and 15 for Ireland.
There will be more charters for the France game definitely but I won't know their schedule until closer to the games.
France (Air France)
13/2/26 CDG-CWL 17.00-17.30 CWL-CDG 18.20-20.50
14/2/26 CDG-CWL 14.00-14.30 CWL-CDG 15.20-17.50
15/2/26 CDG-CWL 08.00-08.30 CWL-CDG 09.20-11.50
CDG-CWL 19.40-20.10 CWL-CDG 21.00-23.30
16/2/26 CDG-CWL 08.00-08.30 CWL-CDG 09.20-11.50
CDG-CWL 16.30-17.00 CWL-CDG 17.50-20.20
Scotland (Loganair)
20/2/26 EDI-CWL 10.50-12.30 CWL-EDI 13.05-14.45
21/2/26 EDI-CWL 07.20-09.00 CWL-EDI 09.30-11.00
22/2/26 EDI-CWL 12.45-14.25 CWL-EDI 14.55-16.30
23/2/26 EDI-CWL 10.35-11.50 CWL-EDI 12.20-13.35
Ireland (Aer Lingus)
5/3/26 DUB-CWL 11.20-12.30 CWL-DUB 13.00-14.10
DUB-CWL 18.35-19.45 CWL-DUB 20.15-21.30
6/3/26 DUB-CWL 07.30-08.40 CWL-DUB 09.10-10.20
DUB-CWL 10.50-12.00 CWL-DUB 12.30-13.45
7/3/26 DUB-CWL 07.30-08.40 CWL-DUB 09.10-10.20
DUB-CWL 10.50-12.00 CWL-DUB 12.30-13.45
DUB-CWL 17.30-18.40 CWL-DUB 19.10-20.20
8/3/26 DUB-CWL 18.35-19.45 CWL-DUB 20.15-21.30
Ireland (Ryanair)
5/3/26 DUB-CWL 14.30-15.35 CWL-DUB 16.00-17.05
DUB-CWL 20.25-21.30 CWL-DUB 21.55-23.00
6/3/26 DUB-CWL 09.25-10.30 CWL-DUB 10.55-12.00
DUB-CWL 10.50-11.55 CWL-DUB 12.00-13.25
7/3/26 DUB-CWL 15.00-16.00 CWL-DUB 16.25-17.30
DUB-CWL 21.50-22.55 CWL-DUB 23.20-00.25
8/3/26 DUB-CWL 10.55-12.00 CWL-DUB 12.25-13.30

 

[MrFenner]

This is what's extra for the 6 Nations from scheduled airlines
25 extra departures. 6 for France, 4 for Scotland and 15 for Ireland.
There will be more charters for the France game definitely but I won't know their schedule until closer to the games.
France (Air France)
13/2/26 CDG-CWL 17.00-17.30 CWL-CDG 18.20-20.50
14/2/26 CDG-CWL 14.00-14.30 CWL-CDG 15.20-17.50
15/2/26 CDG-CWL 08.00-08.30 CWL-CDG 09.20-11.50
CDG-CWL 19.40-20.10 CWL-CDG 21.00-23.30
16/2/26 CDG-CWL 08.00-08.30 CWL-CDG 09.20-11.50
CDG-CWL 16.30-17.00 CWL-CDG 17.50-20.20
Scotland (Loganair)
20/2/26 EDI-CWL 10.50-12.30 CWL-EDI 13.05-14.45
21/2/26 EDI-CWL 07.20-09.00 CWL-EDI 09.30-11.00
22/2/26 EDI-CWL 12.45-14.25 CWL-EDI 14.55-16.30
23/2/26 EDI-CWL 10.35-11.50 CWL-EDI 12.20-13.35
Ireland (Aer Lingus)
5/3/26 DUB-CWL 11.20-12.30 CWL-DUB 13.00-14.10
DUB-CWL 18.35-19.45 CWL-DUB 20.15-21.30
6/3/26 DUB-CWL 07.30-08.40 CWL-DUB 09.10-10.20
DUB-CWL 10.50-12.00 CWL-DUB 12.30-13.45
7/3/26 DUB-CWL 07.30-08.40 CWL-DUB 09.10-10.20
DUB-CWL 10.50-12.00 CWL-DUB 12.30-13.45
DUB-CWL 17.30-18.40 CWL-DUB 19.10-20.20
8/3/26 DUB-CWL 18.35-19.45 CWL-DUB 20.15-21.30
Ireland (Ryanair)
5/3/26 DUB-CWL 14.30-15.35 CWL-DUB 16.00-17.05
DUB-CWL 20.25-21.30 CWL-DUB 21.55-23.00
6/3/26 DUB-CWL 09.25-10.30 CWL-DUB 10.55-12.00
DUB-CWL 10.50-11.55 CWL-DUB 12.00-13.25
7/3/26 DUB-CWL 15.00-16.00 CWL-DUB 16.25-17.30
DUB-CWL 21.50-22.55 CWL-DUB 23.20-00.25
8/3/26 DUB-CWL 10.55-12.00 CWL-DUB 12.25-13.30

That’s impressive!

And has to be the most ever scheduled flights for 6Nations in the last decade or so?

 

[Jerry]

That’s impressive!

And has to be the most ever scheduled flights for 6Nations in the last decade or so?

I'd expect so. I know Vueling have put on flights for the France game before but I don't think they put on as many as 6. I do think what's good as well it that CWL has got both Aer Lingus and Ryanair operating Dublin flights for what is a Wales away game not an Ireland away game considering both are Irish airlines and one of them doesn't actually operate the route normally.

That’s impressive!

And has to be the most ever scheduled flights for 6Nations in the last decade or so?

Its roughly an extra 6000+ seats on sale. If Aer Lingus deploy A320s on some of their flights and Ryanair MAX8200 then it could end up being more than that.

 

[Jerry]

Updated 11/2/26
This is currently what's on the arrival boards for the French rugby airlift.
So far there'll be an extra 37 arrivals with 31 on 14/2/26. At the moment flights on 15/2/26 aren't available (except Air France) I'll update when it is but I'd expect only a couple of extra flights as the game is on Sunday. At the moment there's potentially 6000 passengers arriving with 5400 of them arriving on Saturday.
13/2/26
14:30 Vueling Airlines Paris - Orly VY4557
17:30 Air France Paris - CDG AF4148
14/2/26
07:45 Enter Air Lyon ENT545
08:15 ASL Airlines France Paris - CDG 5O761
08:15 Enter Air Grenoble ENT567
08:15 Enter Air Lyon ENT583
08.25 Transavia France Paris Orly TO1076
08:35 Vueling Airlines Bordeaux VY4050
08:45 Enter Air Lyon ENT531
09:00 Albastar Marseille AP1911
09:05 Vueling Airlines Lyon VY4151
09:30 Vueling Airlines Toulouse VY4550
09:45 Volotea Lyon VOE9202
10:00 Air Horizont Toulouse HAT6714
10:05 Vueling Airlines Toulouse VY4760
10:10 Leav Marseille KK7142
10:35 Corendon Airlines Dole CD9211
12:15 Enter Air Nantes ENT547
12:40 ASL Airlines France Paris - CDG 5O763
12:50 Air Horizont Toulouse HAT4752
13:10 Albastar Nantes AP1525
13.10 Transavia France Bordeaux TO1070
13:20 Enter Air Paris - CDG ENT533
13:35 Vueling Airlines Bordeaux VY4008
13:45 Enter Air Lyon ENT585
13:50 Enter Air Lyon ENT569
14:10 Corendon Airlines Brest CD9213
14:20 Volotea Nantes VOE9204
14:30 Air France Paris - CDG AF4148
14:30 Air Horizont Nantes HAT6715
14:30 Vueling Airlines Toulouse VY4080
15:35 Vueling Airlines Marseille VY4108
15:35 Vueling Airlines Lyon VY4387
15/2/26
08.30 Air France Paris - CDG AF4148
20.10 Air France Paris CDG AF4150
16/2/26
08.30 Air France Paris - CDG AF4148
16.55 Air France Paris CDG AF4150

 

[MJC73]

Gotta love the French

 

[Jerry]

Gotta love the French

Well hopefully it looks like there could be more flights in 2026 than 2024. Depends on the departures and 15/2/26.

 

[geoff]

Great news, a massive boost to February figures.