Cardiff Airport sees strong start to 2017
The New Year is off to a strong start for Wales' national airport, with the announcement of 10% passenger growth for the month of January vs the same month in 2016.
The rolling twelve months has seen an additional 174,000 passengers travelling through Cardiff, that’s enough to fill the Principality Stadium two times over on a busy rugby international match day. This figure represents 15% growth for the rolling year.
The first few weeks of 2017 has seen some exciting announcements from our airlines, including the confirmation that Flybe has extended its daily service to London City through to the end of October. The flight, which departs up to twice a day, seven days a week, is an ideal and cost effective alternative for business customers who have a meeting in the city and want to get home in time for dinner.
Flybe has also announced the extension of its ski route to Geneva this season. The twice weekly service, which complements the weekly service to Chambery, will continue into April so that snow bunnies have more time to plan their escape to the slopes.
Looking ahead, and following a strong start to the 6 Nations this weekend, there are more opportunities than ever for Wales fans to catch the Blue teams away.
The Celtic clash between Scotland v Wales will take place on the 25th February with a host of rugby charter flights departing from Cardiff. 1,100 supporters will travel via Enterair, totalling 15 extra aircraft movements - in addition to Flybe scheduled flights to the Edinburgh and Glasgow which depart up to twice a day seven days a week.
Ahead of the Wales v France game on 18th March circa 1,100 Welsh supporters will travel to and from Paris on Flybe’s regular daily service as well as on special charter services operated by Carpatair and Vueling.
Almost 7,000 fans are expected to travel through Cardiff for Wales v Ireland ahead of the Celtic Clash at the Principality Stadium on 10th March. Creating more than 50 additional flight movements on charter flights operated by Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Cityjet.
Flybe’s regular, scheduled services will also be bringing in rugby supporters from Dublin which operates up to twice day, seven days a week and Belfast City, which operates daily plus a twice weekly service from Cork on a Friday and Monday.
Debra Barber, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff Airport, commented. “This has been a very positive start to what’s going to be a busy year for Cardiff Airport and, indeed, the capital city. All eyes are on Wales this year with plans for the UEFA Champions League final already well underway – and of course another exciting 6 Nations tournament which has just begun.
With all of the sporting action ahead, plus the start of a new route to Rome with Flybe in March; a brand new service to Madrid with Iberia Express this Easter and Guernsey with Blue Islands in May, 2017 is off to a flying start.”