Report recognises benefits to Wales of Cardiff and St Athan airports
Commenting on the report, Debra Barber, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff Airport, said: “We were delighted that the Report, commissioned by the prestigious national think tank Public Policy Institute for Wales, recognises the long-term potential of Cardiff Airport and its underlying economic value to South Wales and the Cardiff City Region. Leading aviation strategist Chris Cain examines in detail the wider economic benefits of the Airport. He provides detailed analysis of the challenges we face, but also acknowledges the significant progress that we have made since our change of ownership.
Following the purchase of Cardiff Airport by the Welsh Government in 2013, we have been on a continuous journey of growth and improvement; we have made huge progress, but we recognise that we still have work to do. We now have more than 50 direct routes and a further 900+ connections via 7 European hubs. We have added a number of new routes and made significant improvements to the terminal and the service that we provide to all our customers. Most importantly, though, passengers numbers are increasing and we ended 2015 13% up on the previous year.”
Roger Lewis, Chairman of Cardiff Airport added: “I welcome Chris Cain’s comprehensive report and am very encouraged by its findings. He recognises the vital role that the Airport plays in the economic development of our country and the importance to Wales of having a thriving Airport serving our capital city. As we move forward there is a clear, coherent strategy for growth in place, as outlined in my recent report: Roger Lewis – The First 100 Days.
In January, our passenger numbers are up 42% up versus the same month in 2015, this follows December’s 56% month on month increase. We are continuing our improvements to the Airport’s infrastructure, with a brand new retail experience opening in Departures in February.
The Airport currently supports circa 1,750 jobs in Wales, and as our efforts to drive the business forward continue, the potential is certainly there for this number to grow.
Cardiff Airport is in a new era, and with support such as this, it will continue to thrive and become the national Airport that the people of Wales can be proud of.”