CAA Provisional Statistics Update

[Jerry]

The CAA has released the annual stats for 2024
Cardiff saw 875,651 passengers in 2024 up 4% on 2023
The top 10 routes were
Alicante 115,294 +44%
Amsterdam 104,170 -8%
Malaga 87,971 +18%
Tenerife 69,759 +31%
Dublin 62,947 -25%
Palma de Mallorca 42,415 -1%
Belfast City 40,194 +13%
Arrecife (Lanzarote) 37,960
Dalaman 24,275 -1%
Antalya 21,404 +49%

Faro 20,574 -25%
Edinburgh 16,189 -20%

Its a shame that there were cuts to routes like Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and Faro as otherwise the airport would've been over 900,000 for 2024.
The airport also saw 1829 tonnes of freight pass through the airport in 2024.

As a comparison this was the numbers for 2019

CAA Stats for 2019
Cardiff Wales Airport saw 1,656,085 passengers use the airport in 2019 up 5% on 2018.
The airport saw 1803 tonnes of freight pass through the airport up 24% on 2018.
Top 10 routes
1. Amsterdam 161,946
2. Alicante 116,001
3. Edinburgh 111,415
4. Palma de Mallorca 107,360
5. Malaga 103,341
6. Dublin 102,150
7. Tenerife South 95,628
8. Doha 90,679
9. Paris CDG 71,574
10. Belfast City 62,322

 

[geoff]

these figures show that if the airlines, especially the scheduled airlines would take the opportunity to put on more flights from CWL, then they could easily double their passengers, the demand is there.

 

[Jerry]

these figures show that if the airlines, especially the scheduled airlines would take the opportunity to put on more flights from CWL, then they could easily double their passengers, the demand is there.

I do think that on many routes the demand may not be the same as 2019. Edinburgh for example potentially has better rail options now and no doubt there'll be factors that mean less people using a hub like Amsterdam but there should be more demand for flights than is currently offered by certain airlines. Edinburgh for instance shouldn't be 60% less passengers than Belfast imo.

 

[Samdorob]

I do think that on many routes the demand may not be the same as 2019. Edinburgh for example potentially has better rail options now and no doubt there'll be factors that mean less people using a hub like Amsterdam but there should be more demand for flights than is currently offered by certain airlines. Edinburgh for instance shouldn't be 60% less passengers than Belfast imo.

Just a daily ATR 72 on the EDI route would be sufficient for the time being.

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Good timings with an ATR to bring prices down a bit will make the route work, as EI have shown with BHD.

 

[Jerry]

The CAA has released the annual stats for 2024
Cardiff saw 875,651 passengers in 2024 up 4% on 2023
The top 10 routes were
Alicante 115,294 +44%
Amsterdam 104,170 -8%
Malaga 87,971 +18%
Tenerife 69,759 +31%
Dublin 62,947 -25%
Palma de Mallorca 42,415 -1%
Belfast City 40,194 +13%
Arrecife (Lanzarote) 37,960
Dalaman 24,275 -1%
Antalya 21,404 +49%

Faro 20,574 -25%
Edinburgh 16,189 -20%

Its a shame that there were cuts to routes like Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and Faro as otherwise the airport would've been over 900,000 for 2024.
The airport also saw 1829 tonnes of freight pass through the airport in 2024.

As a comparison this was the numbers for 2019

CAA Stats for 2019
Cardiff Wales Airport saw 1,656,085 passengers use the airport in 2019 up 5% on 2018.
The airport saw 1803 tonnes of freight pass through the airport up 24% on 2018.
Top 10 routes
1. Amsterdam 161,946
2. Alicante 116,001
3. Edinburgh 111,415
4. Palma de Mallorca 107,360
5. Malaga 103,341
6. Dublin 102,150
7. Tenerife South 95,628
8. Doha 90,679
9. Paris CDG 71,574
10. Belfast City 62,322

Just as another comparison and maybe a more realistic one for the airport in its current circumstances and it's the year the Welsh government bought the airport as well.
CAA Stats for 2013
Cardiff Airport saw 1,072,062 passengers use the airport up 4% on 2012

1. Amsterdam 116,701
2. Edinburgh 76,956
3. Palma de Mallorca 68,129
4. Dublin 63,964
5. Malaga 58,893
6. Alicante 49,909
7. Glasgow 48,217
8. Tenerife 47,541
9. Dalaman 41,168
10. Belfast City 38,389

Another interesting comparison as well is between Scotland and Ireland as destinations
In 2013 Cardiff had 3 destinations in Scotland
Aberdeen 13,342
Edinburgh 76,956
Glasgow 48,217
Total 138,515
In 2019 it had 3 destinations
Aberdeen 603
Edinburgh 111,415
Glasgow 24,604
Total 136,622
2024 it had 1 destination
Edinburgh 16,189
Total 16,189

Ireland
In 2013 Cardiff had 2 destinations
Belfast City 38,389
Dublin 63,964
Total 102,353
In 2019 Cardiff had 3 destinations
Belfast City 62,322
Dublin 102,150
Cork 12,850
Total 177,322
In 2024 Cardiff had 2 destinations
Belfast City 40,194
Dublin 62,947
Total 103,141

 

[Scottie Dog]

Here is my monthly take on the latest CAA data:

 

[Samdorob]

Here is my monthly take on the latest CAA data:

Belfast is doing well, although probably helped by the now daily winter service plus those extra six nation flights.

 

[MJC73]

A couple of things to pick out of that.

Chambery is healthy, Rome was huge given it was essentially two days of activity, Amsterdam definitely needs the 0600 back and nice to see Bridgetown looking good.

 

[Jerry]

Chambery is healthy

Just seems odd to see it above Edinburgh.

Rome was huge given it was essentially two days of activity,

Between the 2 games Ireland and Italy must contribute an extra 5000 passengers for the month.

Amsterdam definitely needs the 0600 back

Yep that's roughly 2000 less passengers using that route than February 2024. That's a lot for an airport of Cardiff size.

 

[Jerry]

CAA Stats for Cardiff Airport 2025
In March 47,909 passengers used the airport down 18%
Top 5 routes
Amsterdam 8054 -26%
Alicante 7662 -1%
Dublin 6178 +12%
Tenerife 5723 +25%
Belfast 3642 +2%
Just for context the French rugby airlift was in March 2024 and that was around 11,000 extra passengers with the difference between the months around 10,000 passengers. So even with the Amsterdam cut which cost CWL nearly 2800 passengers on that route (though some would've been rugby related) the airport still achieved some growth.

 

[Scottie Dog]

I'm currently down in Cornwall on holiday until Sunday and will produce my usual report when home.

 

[Jerry]

CAA Stats for Cardiff Airport 2025
In March 47,909 passengers used the airport down 18%
Top 5 routes
Amsterdam 8054 -26%
Alicante 7662 -1%
Dublin 6178 +12%
Tenerife 5723 +25%
Belfast 3642 +2%
Just for context the French rugby airlift was in March 2024 and that was around 11,000 extra passengers with the difference between the months around 10,000 passengers. So even with the Amsterdam cut which cost CWL nearly 2800 passengers on that route (though some would've been rugby related) the airport still achieved some growth.

Forgot to add that the rolling year figure was 871,000 up 2% from 854,000

 

[Scottie Dog]

Back from Cornwall after a refreshing break, so it's time to get back to the CAA March data!!

 

[geoff]

It's good to see a large percentage rise on the Edinburgh route but the passenger numbers are still quite small, sad to see the Amsterdam route go.ng backwards

 

[Jerry]

It's good to see a large percentage rise on the Edinburgh route but the passenger numbers are still quite small, sad to see the Amsterdam route go.ng backwards

Growth is good but that was likely down to the Scotland game being in March. Both routes are a concern for the future.

 

[geoff]

A contributor on the CWL News and information Facebook site , has remarked as to how well the CWL- Malaga route is performing, with both FR and Vueling flights. The 3 return flights wee all over 92% full, with one flight at 100%. Of the 1028 seats available 1014 were occupied.

 

[Scottie Dog]

A contributor on the CWL News and information Facebook site , has remarked as to how well the CWL- Malaga route is performing, with both FR and Vueling flights. The 3 return flights wee all over 92% full, with one flight at 100%. Of the 1028 seats available 1114 were occupied.

That would be a tight squeeze.

 

[geoff]

Thanks for that Scottie, I must check my work before submitting it, and my maths, entry is now edited.

 

[Jerry]

I know Scottie will do a much more comprehensive post but I did this for social media so thought I'd post it here.
CAA Stats for Cardiff Airport 2025
April 58,641 passengers used the airport +12% on April 2024
Top 5 routes
Alicante 11,467 +13%
Amsterdam 8693 +12%
Dublin 8101 +95%
Tenerife 6285 -4%
Malaga 6064 -27%
Rolling year 877,000 passengers +0.3%
2025 so far has seen 184,934 passengers use Cardiff Airport

Belfast City 3634 +15%
Edinburgh 1518 +9%