Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks has criticised plans by Cardiff Airport to charging passengers for using baggage trolleys.
The Plaid AM, a former Vale of Glamorgan councillor, said that if the plan was implemented it would hit the vulnerable such as the elderly or families with children who were not able to carry their bags themselves.
He hit out after reports that the airport was in discussion with Bagport, a company operating trolley concessions. Charges for trolleys are made at London Luton Airport and Bristol Airports and they rose from £1 to £2 last week.
Chris Franks, who represents South Wales Central region, said: “If Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, can run its business without making a charge I fail to see why Cardiff Airport can’t do the same.
“This appears to be nothing more than an exercise by the airport to generate another income stream because of a fall-off in passengers but it will penalise the vulnerable.
“Older people, particularly the frail, will have no choice but to pay as will many families with children. However, if you’re young and fit you can avoid the charge by carrying your own bags.
“Really, Cardiff Airport would be better selling themselves as the airport that doesn’t charge for trolleys – unlike Bristol. Supermarkets manage to offer trolleys without charging their customers and they have far greater volume of people going through their doors.
“I would urge the airport to have a rethink. This is no way to treat your customers – the passengers.”
