Cardiff Airport's passenger numbers continue to grow
Following a successful start to the spring season, passenger numbers at Cardiff Airport have increased significantly for the month of April 2016 ending 40% up versus the same month last year.
An eleventh month of consecutive growth now brings the rolling twelve month figure up to 1.251 million passengers (+24%), such numbers have not been seen since 2011.
Last month saw the re-commencement of popular summer routes including Palma with Thomson, meaning Welsh passengers can enjoy an early sunny getaway from their national Airport.
April also saw the start of a brand new route with Flybe to Verona. This popular Italian destination – made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet - is a firm favourite with opera lovers and foodies alike, and is also the perfect starting point to tour around Northern Italy or enjoy a romantic break. Flights depart Cardiff on Saturdays with fares available from just £37.99 each way including taxes and charges.
Customers are taking advantage of an increased choice of destinations, more availability and better timings on key routes, plus airlines are offering greater value for money to fly from Cardiff. There has also been a number of exciting announcements made by airlines in recent weeks:
KLM, one of Cardiff Airport’s longest-serving airlines, has announced new daily connections to Valencia, Dresden, Genoa and Salt Lake City via Amsterdam Schiphol for summer 2016. The airline’s partnership with Delta also means that up to 19 cities in North America can now be reached with one stop via Amsterdam, including:
Canada: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal
USA: Boston, NYC, Washington DC, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and LA
Mexico: Mexico City
Flybe has stepped in to offer ‘rescue flights’ to London City starting on 12th September, ensuring Welsh passengers still have vital access to the city whilst works are underway on the Severn Tunnel. The flight is just 40 minutes by air with fares available from just £34.99 one way, making the journey from Cardiff quick and cost-effective.
Additionally Flybe has also released its first wave of flights for winter 2016/17 and announced a brand new route to Berlin starting on 2nd November.
Low-cost Spanish airline Vueling has responded to the demand from Welsh customers and increased its summer programme of flights from Cardiff by some 40%, meaning greater capacity on flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma Majorca.
Ryanair has doubled its capacity at Cardiff Airport on winter flights to Tenerife, with a second weekly flight departing on Thursday to complement the existing Monday route, on sale now at ryanair.com
Additionally, frequency to Milan and Faro increases to four times a week in peak season with Flybe and charter flights to Cancun and Orlando will depart during the summer with Thomas Cook.
The 11 months of growth from June 2015, averages 35% per month are broken down as follows:
Month 2015-16
% growth from previous year
Passenger numbers
June
12%
133,137
July
8%
139,805
August
10%
149,230
September
21%
150,477
October
62%
149,823
November
32%
65,040
December
56%
64,220
January
42%
59,715
February
68%
75,055
March
29%
78,413
April
40%
80,545
Debra Barber, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff Airport, said: "It’s very encouraging to see yet another month of passenger growth. Summer is just around the corner and we’re off to a great start, with a number of popular holiday destinations available on our 18 airlines including Spain, Malta, the Canaries, Bulgaria and the Algarve.
“In May we’ll also be unveiling our new-look departures area and officially opening Caffè Ritazza and the Beer House airside catering facilities. We remain committed to delivering an enjoyable customer experience and proudly fly the flag for Wales every day of the year.”