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Cardiff Airport

Cardiff Airport - some key information

(for news, see below)

General:

Airport is served by scheduled, low-fare, business and charter carriers, and also supports corporate and general aviation. The majority of flights are to Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and UK destinations with the most popular being Alicante, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Palma de Mallorca according to airport. Also many transatlantic services to the USA and Canada also operate regularly, with many charters to South America and Caribbean.

The airport is a hub for Bmibaby which is the largest scheduled airline at the airport, with Aer Arann, Flybe, Thomsonfly and Thomas Cook Airlines all having a large presence with Cardiff as a focus city, although Flybe have recently expressed their intentions to become the largest airline at the airport by 2011 focussing on the business and short leisure break sectors.

Airport Owner:

Cardiff Airport is owned by TBI plc (Bought in 1995. TBI owns Luton and Belfast)

Airport Operator: TBI plc

Airport website: http://info.cwlfly.com/en/

Airport Master Plan (2006):

Cardiff International Airport draft Master Plan - Click here to download (Size: 2 MB)...

Key details of Master Plan:

The Department for Transport (DfT) issued long term traffic forecasts for all airports in the United Kingdom when the Government published its Air Transport White Paper in December 2003. The “central” scenario was named 12S1 STN+1 LHR+1 (2020, 550/600), and assumes a new runway at both Stansted and Heathrow in that order.

The forecasts envisaged Cardiff traffic reaching 3.6 million passengers by 2015, rising to 5.0 million by 2030. This equates to average growth of 4.1% per annum between 2000 and 2030, with faster growth in the first 15 years.

Relative to other regional airports, the DfT forecast stronger than average growth for Cardiff in the period to 2015. However, this is followed by a period of weaker than average growth - the net outcome in 2030 is that Cardiff is forecast toaccount for a similar share of UK regional traffic as in 2000.

It is not envisaged that any runway extension is required to meet the traffic forecasts; a taxiway extension would satisfy this increased traffic. The taxiway extension would provide a parallel route running right to the end of the runway pavement.

Consultation was 2005 / 6

Airport Consultative Committee: Link

Report on Noise Events and Environmental Complaints (2007)

This is a report on Noise Events and Environmental Complaints, created in 2007, by the airport. Click here to download (Size: 189 KB)...

There is no easily located route by which to complain about noise caused by the airport.

CAA figures: CAA airport statistics

Terminal Passengers:

CAA - 2007 Terminal Passengers
CAA - Terminal Passengers 1999 - 2009 (annual figures, table 10.3)

2009 1,624,728 (down - 17.9% on 2008)

2008 1,978,719 ( down 5.5% on 2007))

2007   2,094 thousand (up 5%)
2006    1,993
2005    1,765
2000    1,498
1996    1,001

Air Transport Movements (approx - thousands):

CAA 2007 ATM statistics

CAA ATM statistics 1999 - 2009 (annual figures, table 4.2)

2009 20,456 (down - 12.9% on 2008)

2008 23,481 (1.9% up on 2007)

2007     23 thousand (up 5% on 2006)
2006     22
2005     21
2000     19
1996     16


Air Freight (tonnes):

CAA 2007Air Freight statistics

CAA Air Freight statistics 1999 - 2009 (annual figures, table 13.2)

2009 178 (down - 87% on 2008)

2008 1,334 (down -44% on 2007)

2007     2,391 (up +8% on 2006)
2006      2,212
2005      2,564
2000         900
1996        652

Airport Contact Details:
Cardiff International Airport
Vale of Glamorgan
CF62 3BD Tel: 01446 711111

Or to email, steve.hodgetts@cwl.aero

Multimap: Map of airport location

Runway length and direction:

12/30 2,392ft 7,848 metres Asphalt

Local community group: ....... one may be formed soon .......

Wikipedia page on Cardiff Airport: Wikipedia Cardiff

Proportion of domestic passengers, out of total passengers

CAA statistics, annual figures - comparing Tables 9 and 10.2

2006    18.0%
2007    20.3%
2008    20.7%

Business Aviation: Number of business flights (= private jets)
CAA statistics, annual figures - Table 3.1

2007 -

2008 -

Recent news about Cardiff airport:

News can be found at the UK Airport News website :

Flybe expansion could lead to new routes from Cardiff Airport

26th July 2010 Flybe says it is investing in more planes and there could be more routes from Cardiff - of which there are currently 11. It is buying up to 140 planes, and destinations such as Dusseldorf, Lyon and Frankfurt could be available as it looks to focus on the business market. The company, which is Europe's largest regional airline, has a firm order for 35 planes which carry 88 passengers in a 2x2 seat layout as it looks to expand its British and European operations. Click here to view full story...

Daily Cardiff to New York City flight talks 'end'

10th June 2010 Discussions have been taking place between Cardiff airport and Delta, to establish a daily flight to JFK in New York. But there are now no plans to launch the service. Delta declined to comment on reports that it had asked for the assembly government to underwrite any losses made by the service. The Welsh assembly government said it is "committed" to an air link. Cardiff airport continue talking to airlines to expand their range of routes. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

New operator - Man for Cardiff to Anglesey air service

30th April 2010 Isle of Man based Manx2.com with its partner FLM Aviation will resume the Cardiff-Anglesey service on Monday 10th May for 7 months. The Welsh Assembly government said a further tendering process will begin to appoint an operator for a 4-year contract. The Cardiff to Anglesey air link started in May 2007, with two flights a day both ways, attracting 40,000 passengers to date. The journey is a slow one by rail. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...

Shuttle bus between Cardiff Airport and station may end

13th April 2010 A shuttle bus linking Cardiff Airport with its nearest railway station may be withdrawn at the end of next month. The airport can no longer afford the £100,000 for the service which started in 2005 following the opening of a new station at Rhoose, and only carries less than 1,000 passengers a week. A taxi firm is interested in providing an alternative. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

26.03.10 Highland Airways in administration
16.03.10 Cardiff Airport passengers down 18%
12.03.10 Cardiff Airport terminal expansion plans approved

Highland Airways - North-south Wales airline enters administration

26th March 2010 Planes flying the north to south Wales air route have been grounded. Highland Airways that operated the service has entered administration with further bookings being taken. Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the Welsh Assembly Government would take action to restore it. Highland Airways was awarded a three-year contract to run the north-south Wales route from May 2007. The service had £800,000 a year funding from the assembly government. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...

Highland Airline no comment on service

12.3.2010 Highland Airways has refused to comment on its future involvement in a service between Cardiff and Anglesey in Wales. The airline has been in discussions with a potential investor after hitting financial troubles made worse by severe weather affecting flights. Its contract with the Welsh Assembly Government ends in May and the route has been put out to tender. Click here to view full story .....

Airport extension plan is approved

12.3.2010 A scheme for a multi-million-pound extension to the terminal at Cardiff Airport has been approved. Work on the project to improve the appearance of the airport will begin later this year. Approval of the plans by Vale of Glamorgan councillors came as plans for a dedicated bus service to the airport were announced. The £5m-plus improvement will see the arrivals and departures halls linked into one large area, with new food and retail premises, and the building will get a contemporary design. Click here to view full story .....

Airline lifts booking restrictions

2nd February 2010 The Inverness-based firm, which employs about 100 people, had put restrictions on its bookings while talks were held to secure new investment. (BBC) Cllick here to view full story ....

Clarity call on the Cardiff to Anglesey route as Highland stops bookings

26th January 2010 Calls for clarity on the future of the air route are made after the air firm running it said it was facing "continuing problems". The twice-daily route between Anglesey and Cardiff is operated by Highland with £800,000 public subsidy from the Welsh Assembly Government. Tenders for a new contract for the route ended on Weds and it is understood only Highland Airways bid. The route has a Public Service Obligation (PSO) condition. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

23.01.10 Cardiff Airport plan £5m terminal upgrade
21.01.10 Flybe increase Cardiff – Belfast flights after bmibaby ‘pull out’
03.01.10 Expert urges Cardiff Airport marketing

£5m redesign plans for Cardiff airport's terminal

23rd January 2010 The redesign, part of the airport's wider £15m investment strategy, has reached the planning stage and work could start later this year. Plans have been drawn up to extend the front of the terminal, link the arrivals and departures halls, and provide new food and retail services - to boost business. Better public transport to the airport is being investigated. However, improving the terminal alone is not going to bring the airport more business. (BBC) Click here to view full story...

19.11.09 Cardiff Airport seeks new transatlantic carrier

26.11.09 Cardiff Airport gets Bali connection

Cardiff Airport airline (bmibaby) plans to cut 158 jobs

6th November 2009 Flights from Cardiff Airport could be affected after bmibaby announced plans to cut 158 jobs. They aim to make the cutbacks from its workers at Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester Airports. Up to 54 pilot and 82 cabin crew positions at the 3 airports are at risk of redundancy and 22 management and support positions. Bmibaby also announced it was reducing the number of aircraft in its fleet from 17 to 12 next year.
Click here to view full story...

After 2 days in the job, new bmibaby boss makes a quarter of staff redundant

5th November 2009 A quarter of the staff at bmibaby have been told they are to lose their jobs, only 2 days after Lufthansa, its parent, put a new boss in charge of the loss-making airline. The company said that 158 of its 633 employees would go after a 90-day consultation period. The job losses will include 54 pilots and 82 cabin crew based at Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff. There will also be 22 management redundancies. (Times)
Click here to view full story...

Cardiff Airport road scheme axed

20th July 2009 Plans for a new link road to Cardiff Airport have been scrapped because of the cost. It was announced at the unveiling of a 5-year transport plan. Only a fraction of the benefits a proposed airport link road would bring the area were associated with the airport. As an alternative, the assembly government would investigate a half-hourly express bus service from Cardiff city centre to the airport, and more frequent train services. (UK Airport News) Click here to view full story...

Aberdeen: North-east’s new link with Cardiff is launched

22nd April 2009 Transport links between the north-east and Wales were strengthened with the launch of a direct flight between Aberdeen and Cardiff, which will fly 6 days a week. It is the 9th route provided by Flybe and Loganair from Aberdeen. The firms became franchise partners in October. The service will operate from Sunday to Friday with fares available from £44.99. It is expected to be used bybusiness travellers, students, tourists and residents. (Press and Journal) Click here to view full story...

For news of the recent protest by NEVAR against the road schemes, see below.........

Residents oppose Cardiff airport access road

Angry residents campaigning against plans to build an access road to Cardiff Airport mounted a protest in Barry yesterday. The Welsh Assembly Government has asked for the public’s view on 3 options for a road to the airport. Many Vale residents do not want a new road at all. An anti-access road action group - NEVAR (No Ely Valley Airport Road) - held a demonstration outside the Civic Offices, saying there was no need for an access road. (Wales online and BBC) 2.10.2008

Outrage at plans for link road to Cardiff airport

Options for a proposed link road to Cardiff International Airport, one of which cuts through a Barry Golf Course, has sparked a wave of opposition. The three options for the new road have been put forward by Consultants Ove Arup & Partners Ltd and staff from Transport Wales, on behalf of the the Welsh Assembly Government, in a bid to deal with growing levels of traffic to and from the airport. (Barry and District News) 8.8.2008

Some recent news:

February 2009

01.02.09 Cardiff Airport ‘optimistic’ despite passenger drop in 2008

January 2009

29.01.09 bmibaby announce Cardiff – Almeria flights
03.01.09 New Cardiff based airline still confident of takeoff

December 2008

31.12.08 Name change for Cardiff Airport?
30.12.08 bmibaby announce Cardiff – Menorca flights
27.12.08 Cardiff Airport road plans ‘put on back burner’
10.12.08 Cardiff Airport says Welsh Assembly ‘un-business like’

November 2008

15.11.08 National Trust opposed Cardiff Airport road plans
01.11.08 bmibaby celebrate Cardiff Airport milestone

October 2008

05.10.08 Cardiff Airport road scheme protest

September 2008