Commenting on the news that Flybe are to launch four new seasonal routes from Cardiff Airport to Geneva, Lyon, Chambray and Grenoble December this year for the winter ski season, Eluned Parrott local Liberal Democrat AM and Shadow Transport Minister said:
“This is good news for Cardiff Airport, but the Welsh Government still faces a massive task if it is to turn things around.
“The Airport made an operating loss last year of £1.7million, more than five times more than it lost the year before, so it will need many more new routes and a much higher footfall before we see it break even as a business.
“Times are extremely challenging for regional aviation. Airports such as Glasgow’s Prestwick have also been reporting large losses, although reports suggest that the Scottish Government may acquire that site from its current owners for free rather than the £52m paid by the Welsh Government for Cardiff.
“The introduction of the Express Bus service between Cardiff Airport and the City Centre will doubtless be useful in attracting new passenger business to the airport, but freight and engineering business are also important in Wales’ aviation sector.
“The Welsh Government must set out an aviation strategy for Wales that sets targets for what it hopes to achieve not only at Cardiff Airport, but also for aviation businesses across Wales.”
