You are right that the immediate hinterland to Cardiff is less wealthier than Bristol's hinterland.

But what I found interesting (and which isn't really connected to the airport) is that Cardiff's median total income was more than Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham, Glasgow and just a smidgeon behind Bristol. The problem as you rightly point out is that go a few miles north of the city borders and it falls apart. The only other places in Wales with a median income of over 19,000 are the Vale and Monmouthshire.

I also found it interesting that area's that are much more geographically isolated like the Orkneys, the Highlands, Western Isles, Moray etc were all considerably wealthier than rural Wales. That can't all be down to oil surely?

Everyone's noticed passenger numbers dropping, that's the whole reason for this thread.


Yet people in that 1 hour drive area still travel by air, just not from Cardiff any more. It's the "not many airlines, not many destinations, results in less passengers travelling, results in less airlines and less destinations..." ever decreasing circle.

Vueling, Thomson and first all just announced more flights from cardiff over the winter.
Nothing dramatic, but it is better than less flights.

PRESS RELEASE FROM CARDIFF AIRPORT

24th May 2013

Vueling to fly all year round

Leading Spanish airline, Vueling has today launched new winter services from Cardiff Airport which extends its flying programme to an all year round operation following a positive response from Welsh passengers. The additional flights to Malaga and Alicante will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, extending the summer schedule. Flights are on sale from Thursday 23rd May and prices start at 39,99euros. Following a successful 2012 and the launch of the 2013 summer season Vueling further increased services on their summer programme to and from Wales, also starting services earlier to meet the increased demand over the Easter period. Javier Suarez, Vueling´s Routes Manager said, ""Vueling has been operating from Cardiff Airport for two years and we strongly believe that the results are very good for both parts. Our goal is to keep on working to deliver quality services to both leisure and business passengers from Wales." Jon Horne, Chief Executive at Cardiff Airport added, "We have been listening to what the people of Wales want and one clear message amongst others was year round services. We have made this a priority as part of our discussions with existing and potential airlines to ensure this demand is met from Cardiff Airport. "I am delighted to say that working with Vueling we have been able to deliver more winter flights to two of the key destinations that have been requested. We continue to work with airlines to win more flights back to Cardiff, creating more choice for Welsh passengers from their airport." During summer 2013 Vueling is operating flights to Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma Majorca from Cardiff. Flights to Alicante and Malaga operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Wednesday flights to Malaga are also available during August and September. Flights to Barcelona will operate on Fridays and Sundays offering connections to cruises departing from Barcelona. Direct flights from Cardiff to Palma Majorca will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays commencing 20th June 2013. Vueling flights also offer a wealth of onward connections available via Vueling's successful Barcelona Hub operations, currently accessing over 50 destinations in Europe and North-Africa, with full baggage through check-in from Cardiff Airport to final destination.Tickets are available now via www.vueling.com <

I am trying to get a flight to Cardiff from Lyon - not too difficult via Amsterdam and quite a reasonable price at around £250. The problem is that I arrive at five on a Saturday afternoon and can't hire a car as all the car hire firms close at one!! So will have to go to Bristol

Back from my 2nd trip abroad in the week, to Alicante funny enough which CWL has recently announced routes too, but this time flew from Brizzle and wow, what a difference. Tis a ball ache to get too but everything else sinks CWL sadly, from standard of the terminal to the feel of a major regional aiport with still over half a dozen or so flights to land after our flight which landed just shy of midnight. Having a major low-cost carrier does the world of good, it's a shame what happened to bmiBaby and CWL's relationship with Ryanair, is there any chance that Cardiff can resurrect itself or will it always play second fiddle to BRS in the southwest now it has just 20% of the passengers?

It won't be easy - but it's worth remembering that it's not that long ago that Cardiff and Brizzle had roughly equal passenger numbers. The difference has been Easyjet & Ryanair v. BMI Baby.

As I understand things BMI Baby's Cardiff operations did turn a small profit for most of the period they used the airport but it was obviously a marginal operation in terms of BMI as a whole.

It's not impossible that another budget operator (Jet2, maybe?) could be lured to the airport with reduced landing charges but the real opportunities are with long-haul. Those are pretty much dependendant on the devolution of long-haul APD as reccommended by the Silk Commission.

Zero or reduced APD at Cardiff is normally talked about in terms of creating links with the US and a middle-eastern hub, but when you think that zero APD would mean a saving of around £250 for a family of four flying to Florida or Egypt it would make Cardiff a very attractive proposition for long-haul holiday airlines.

The point of taking the airport into public ownership was that the Welsh Government income that would be lost by reducing APD could be partialy offset by dividends from the airport.

That's the theory at least. I'm agnostic as to whether it will work or not.

Cheers for that reply, would be nice to see CWL win back it's lost market share from a purely Welsh-interest point of view. At least there seems some light at the end of the tunnel now WAG are involved. I'm hopeful for the future, it's far more convenient that getting to BRS and I do sense a sort of national pride in having a decent gateway to the nation.

A quick question, as mentioned in this thread, a airport replacing CWL and BRS on the M4 and Great Western Mainline would be the ideal scenario for air traffic in South Wales and South West but why couldn't Bristol Filton Airport meet this criteria? It had a long enough runway, has a rail route running past it and is bang on the M4 AND M5? Why was it not used really for civilians flights and closed for good last December? It just seems an awful waste for that airport to be shut down as it would have been the perfect airport for Western Britain in the long haul.

will APD be removed from the block settlement? if so then it will be WG losing out and taking the risk of increased divs. If it doesn't come from the block settlement then WG really shouldn't argue for its removal

I'm not sure about the full use of that runway but I do know Airbus were using it for their operations at Filton. From what I'd heared it was going to be extended as well.

Any taxes devolved would replace an equivelant amount of the block - so yes, the Welsh Government would be risking its own money by lowering of abolishing LDAPD. That's how it should be in my view - it makes the WG take financial responsibility for their actions. Otherwise it would be a one-way bet.

http://www.flightradar24.com/

Airplane geeks rejoice!

Note the lack of traffic over CWL compared to BRS. Interesting to see the amount of traffic over the middle east airports. Amazing how they've come to dominate in the past ten years.

A direct flight to Dubai should be the priority for CWL, you can catch a connecting flight to anywhere in Asia and Australasia from there. Surely there must be enough demand for a twice weekly flight at the very least.

I was thinking about this yesterday while reading this thread. I can see a link to Dubai or Abu Dhabi working quite well precisely because of the ability to transfer. Each flight home or back to Dubai or Abu Dhabi I take seems half full of people going to other places. Surely there's enough people from southern Wales that are headed east of the UAE or needing to go to one of the Gulf countries to justify a flight twice a week ? There's enough Welsh ex-pats out here or in Saudi or Oman going home a few times a year as well. Even if flights were a bit more expensive than flying from Heathrow I think people would go for it because of the cost of getting home from Heathrow. I know I would.

It would need advertising well, and on top of that they REALLY need to sort out the monopoly on taxis from the airport and the really shite public transport links. I hadn't looked at it prior to my last trip home when I tried the KLM transfer from Amsterdam but was shocked by the infrequency of the trains from Rhoose.

I agree that Cardiff could benefit by adding further hub connections to the existing hub at Schiphol. But Emirates/Dubai are not the only game in town. I doubt they'd fly from Cardiff anyway, unless the airport could offer the standards of lounge access and food that the airline is renowned for.

A smarter choice to aim for might be Turkish Airlines which, over the past decade, has quietly become a leviathan that flies all over the world from its surprisingly massive hub at Istanbul's Ataturk airport. The airline would additionally be able to appeal to Welsh holidaymakers by offering domestic connections to holiday destinations within Turkey - something Emirates can't offer. That combination of excellent hub connectivity and more traditional holiday flights make Turkish Airlines a good idea.

Other airlines that Cardiff should be targeting are Jet2, WizzAir and SAS, which has an excellent and very useful hub at Copenhagen Kastrup (which also happens to be many people's dream airport, myself included).

having been to Denmark, I can see why

You have a fair point there actually, I haven't been to any Emirates lounges yet, only Etihad ones and their Manchester one is quite small so I could see Cardiff offering something similar for them or Emirates. I know from what others have told me that the Dubai one is so big it doesn't really feel like a business class lounge.

The Cardiff terminal is very small so there's possibly not even enough space upstairs for another lounge, even a small one. Taking the likes of Heathrow and Dubai out of the equation, how big are Emirates other lounges are smaller airports ? Could Cardiff accomodate a small-ish business class lounge for a major airline ?

What does Brizzle have in terms of lounge space ?

They have this, don't know what it's like in person though.

http://www.executivelounges.com/lounges/bristol-airport-lounge

They were renovating the business lounge when I was at Bristol Airport two weeks ago - presumably the link in the post above is the artists impression of the new design.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-22839026

Cost cutting I'm sure, but you NEED transport to the airport if they want passenger numbers turned around. Poor decision.

I wonder what the % is of people accessing Cardiff Airport by public transport compared to private motor vehicle? I'd say about 5% tops.

Presumably now that WG owns the airport it also owns the car parks as well? Wouldn't an easy win be to reduce car parking fees substantially making Cardiff a much better proposition for travelers in terms of cost? Only accessible by those flying from the airport it may tip the balance for people weighing up flying from Bristol, Gatwick or Bham because they are cheaper. A busier airport may encourage more routes etc. Would involve a drop in revenue in the short term but may work in the long term. Get rid of the charge for dropping off and for trolleys as well.

Of course in the long term public transport is important but in terms of building momentum I'm not sure a subsidised bus route is vital at the moment.

This sounds like a good airline to target

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22840790

Can't find any actual news on this but there is going to be a direct bus link to the airport from August http://welshlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2013/696529/airport-bus-link-to-begin-in-august-eluned-parrott

Will they wont they story about the August airport bus link:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/confusion-over-airport-express-link-4701870

While I hope they will, it does make the politicians round here look a little petty when the big arguments are about trying to get a bus to run.

yet some think the Welsh are capable of responsible government.

Looks like the bus link could be on, and with a decent service if it works out as suggested:

"The Vale of Glamorgan council is inviting bus operators to bid to run the service"

"t will be scheduled to run approximately every 20 minutes between 4am and midnight, 363 days a year,"

"A council spokeswoman said the proposed maximum fare was adults £5 single or £8 return; children £2.50 single or £4 return; and, Welsh concessionary pass holders and children under five ride free."

"The service will have limited hotel stops between the airport and Cardiff."

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-express-bus-service-launched-4893330

I wonder if Cardiff Bus will keep the X91 going in competition to this new service? Unless of course they get the contract to run the service!

Good news.

I'm using the airport every couple of months at the moment to come home from Dubai via Amsterdam and the public transport options are shockingly bad. It never used to bother me as I have always had lifts or parked my car but this would be a decent alternative.

The arrival 'shed' is much better since they tarted it up as well.

It's got a long long way to go before it catches Bristol but little improvements like this are a decent start.

An Emirates or Etihad flight to Cardiff would do just nicely at the moment thank you very much

As Ash ponted out in his thread on the PDR the assembly statement made by our dear Edwina also made a "promise" to fund improvements to Five Mile Lane. While this does not link to the M4 it will provide an alternative to all the roundabouts on the Port Road through Barry.

As always the funding and timing are the real issues but relatively small improvements will change perceptions, is it too little too late?

The article states that the x91 will be scrapped. What I don't get is why it goes from Cardiff Bay? Cathays and Roath are more populated areas and further away from central. Roath hardly has anyrail links to Central. Whilst this is good news, it will only be successful if WAG/VoG/CCC advertise it from all corners. It will be very useful for passengers

Cardiff airport has been renamed....at least by Etihad Airways.

I was recently looking at travelling home into Cardiff by various airlines, including Etihad, and when I entered the CWL code I was pleasantly surprised that the airport has been renamed Clinton.

I assume that this is a subtle attempt to attract American tourists??

Not sure what website you are on of that was just a data glitch but if you type CWL on the Etihad website it comes up with Cardiff, Cardiff Wales Airport. Tempted to try them into Amsterdam, really liked their flights out of Heathrow and Manchester last year.

In more depressing news, the latest figures from The CAA have been released:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&sglid=3&fld=201304


As of the 13th of June 2013, it looks like passenger numbers for Cardiff Airport are down both for the rolling year and this month (-13%), compared to the same periods last year.

I certainly wasn't expecting WG's involvement to have such an immediate and obvious effect

Just couldn't resist could you

New every 20 minute bus service starts on Thursday, although exact timetable and stops info seems in short supply:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-express-service-between-cardiff-5378628

And here is the proof!

Well at least Traveline managed to get details for this AM, they weren't there last night when I looked. It's the T9 and starts from County Hall to the Airport

This appears to be a very "soft" launch with virtually no publicity except for that article in the Echo. I would have expected at least a bit of publicity from First Cymru concerning the new route.

Looks like the same route as the X91 from Cardiff to the Airport with the exception of the it going to and from County Hall.

Nothing to do with the thread but the picture is very impressive - show Cardiff in a good light with the buildings (and sun!)

been through the airport a few times in recent weeks, basic cosmetic improvements looking ok - still not a fan mind.
however this week noticed surveyors doing there stuff in the furthest out long stay carpark as you leave, anyone any ideas?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-expansion-tops-poll-airport-5793503

A proposal for the expansion of Cardiff Airport has been chosen as the preferred measure to increase the UK’s airport capacity in an influential web poll.

... in an unscientific poll pushed by the one man campaign - "Fly Cardiff". Trust me, I've spoken to him. His intentions are good - but he's a very odd man!

Nobody could want the airport to grow and prosper more than me, but does anyone seriously think that Cardiff would be chosen ahead of airports at larger cities if this was a properly conducted poll ?

The numbers just don't add up.

Has the rot at Cardiff Wales Airport been stabilised? CAA provisional figures for August 2013 show an increase of 14% in passenger numbers compared to the same month in 2012. Some 148,000 passengers were handled and the rolling year total was up to 1,032,000 from 1,007,000 in June 2013.

I daren't say it but is the WG purchase, very slight facelift and subsidised bus showing signs of working? Or is there a general uplift on holidays with the economy looking a bit better?

That's one possible interpretation, but realistically I think it far more likely to be just a summer charter holidays thing. No new scheduled flights have been announced that I know of to indicate that a corner has been turned.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_data_prov/201308/August_2013_Provisional_Airport_Statistics.pdf

According to the stats, BRS now carries 6 (yes SIX) times more passengers than CWL.

Well I recently decided to give Cardiff Airport another go specifically because of the new shuttle service from Cardiff which will save me time as well as petrol, bridge toll and parking costs. I wonder how many others are doing the same.

Since we're now comparing CWL to O'hare has anyone noticed any additional flights? I haven't. I tried to book a flight to Palma and couldn't find one airline. The rest of the stag do flying from mcr had several airlines to choose from. I would say the rush for champagne is a little premature if an airport famed only for its charter routes doesn't even have Palma in its offering.

I think Wizard is spot on, there's probably just been a few people extra people going on holidays.

Has the rot stopped ? Maybe, we just can't tell. It's an improvement so it's positive, but until a few more routes turn up, a few new carriers etc. then it's still the same very quiet little airport.

The new bus route is great, it's a start, but it's no good if you can't even book a trip to a stag weekend in Europe.

I've heared from one of their cabin crew last week that Emirates are considering Cardiff at the moment. I don't know how true that actually is, but it would be a great start if they used the airport.

Jantra - I don't think anyone is comparing Cardiff airport to O'Hare. The latest figures show that the seemingly inexorable decline has (at least temporarily) been stopped and people are opining whether or not this is a sign of a sustained improvement or a seasonal blip and what reasons, if any, are behind the modest improvement. I don't know what has induced your hyperbole.

Your point re destinations is a good one though - currently Cardiff does not fly to anywhere I want to go to. Therefore an express bus service or re-decoration means nothing to me and will not prove to be an inducement to look at CWL when planning my next trip. CWL needs destinations rather than a new carpet if the decline is to be stopped and reversed. I'm not expecting miracles straight away but as far as I can recall there have been no new routes announced for many, many months.