Cardiff Airport has held its annual update for Assembly Members at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
Over the past twelve months, Cardiff Airport has delivered a further 8% growth in passenger numbers and welcomed more than 1.58 million people through Wales’ national airport.
This figure follows growth of 9% in 2017 and 16% in 2016. Passenger growth has now reached 60% overall since the Airport came under public ownership in 2013.
The Airport posted its first positive EBITDA* in eight years, a significant milestone for its long term sustainability.
The Airport also unveiled its draft Masterplan for the next 20 years, which sets out ambitious plans for expansion between now and 2040.
2018 Headlines include:
News from our airlines
- Qatar Airways launched new flights to Doha. The 5* airline, which touched down in Cardiff on 1st May 2018, flies customers on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Hamad International Airport where they can connect to 160 destinations worldwide
- KLM celebrated 30 years of flying customers between Wales and its hub at Amsterdam Schiphol airport
- Vueling celebrated its 800,000 passenger milestone
- Flybe announced flights to Venice.
- Improvements to the customer experience
We introduced a new baggage belt system, improved the security search process and upgraded two air bridges to enhance the customer’s journey through the Airport
A number of improvements and new facilities were unveiled including additional seating in departures, two new Costa outlets, a larger WH Smith store with Well Pharmacy products, a new car hire centre, a Meet & Greet parking service and a revamped 51° Executive Lounge and Business Lounge.
What’s next for Cardiff Airport?
2019 is off to a flying start with many new routes preparing for take-off this summer:
- TUI will begin operating flights to Dubrovnik (Croatia), Naples (Italy) and Hurghada (Egypt) this summer, adding 100,000 seats from Cardiff
- Ryanair will introduce new routes to Barcelona, Malta and Malaga complementing existing flights to Faro and Tenerife
- Thomas Cook will operate its summer schedule on larger aircraft, adding 29,000 extra seats across its 11 routes and starting some flights earlier due to popular demand
- There will also be continuing improvements across the terminal
- New-generation passport e-gates will be introduced at border control
- The car parks will be extended and reconfigured
Roger Lewis, Chairman at Cardiff Airport said:
“2018 has been a transformational year for Cardiff Airport. We are now firmly on the map, not only as a strategic national asset for Wales but also as a significant gateway to the UK.
“We promised that we would grow and strengthen our business in 2018 and we have delivered on that promise. Passenger numbers have now increased by 60% since our change of ownership.
“Our focus in 2019 is to build on the contagious confidence that we have created over recent years. We have a clear vision for the future and ambitious long term plans for growth. The key for the year ahead is to consolidate our position and to continue to diversify our business by making best use of all of our facilities. Improving our customer offering will be front of mind for us all.
“That said, there are even greater opportunities ahead of us, and we are confident that we can continue to grow over the course of the next twelve months.”
Deb Barber, CEO at Cardiff Airport added:
“I am extremely proud of all that the team have achieved over the past 12 months during such a key year in our development. We have welcomed a new 5* airline with a regular service to a Middle Eastern hub, our incumbent airlines have added more capacity and we’ve unveiled huge improvements in and around the terminal.
“The business is growing stronger and we are well positioned to deliver on our vision and purpose generating significant economic benefit to Wales.”
