Huge boost for airport as it lands flights to Middle East
CARDIFF Airport has received its biggest ever boost after landing one of the world’s best known and fastest growing airlines – Qatar Airways.
The airline is investing in a new, frequent longhaul direct service to the Middle Eastern hub of Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The deal was announced by Qatar Airways Group chief executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker.
The new route, which will start in 2018 and could fly seven days a week in the summer season, will provide a direct route into the world’s fastest growing hub airport, giving access to its 150 connecting destinations and bring Welsh businesses closer to key global markets, such as India, China, Singapore and Australasia.
The announcement is also set to bring the airport closer to its target of three million passengers a year (currently 1.3 million), at which stage it would require a new terminal building in an investment running into several hundred million pounds.
It could also provide a catalyst for Middle Eastern investment into new infrastructure projects in Wales and strengthen the case for a direct service from Cardiff to North America with passengers from the Middle East changing at Cardiff Airport for a connecting flight.
Passengers who want to travel to Australia and to Middle Eastern countries will be able to leave from Cardiff instead of having to travel to London.
Cardiff Airport secured the route in the face of competition from other airports in the UK, including its closest rival Bristol.
Other airlines currently not operating from Cardiff Airport will be taking a keen interest in the route and if successful, it could bring forward plans to invest in new routes.
Debra Barber, chief executive of Cardiff Airport, said: “I am immensely proud that Qatar Airways has chosen Cardiff Airport to operate its new service to Doha. It is fantastic that we will now be able to offer our customers more choice of travel with a world-class airline providing easy connections to destinations across the world.
“More than one million passengers per year from our region are travelling to destinations that are on the Qatar Airways network. Over 90% of these passengers are currently travelling via London and this new service will give them the opportunity to fly more conveniently from Cardiff, their local airport.”
“It has been a long journey to get to this stage, with discussions spanning a number of years. Over the coming months we will work with the team at Qatar Airways to confirm the details of the service and look forward to the flights being on sale in the near future.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This is great news for both Cardiff Airport and for Wales. This new route, and the relationship between Cardiff Airport and Qatar Airways, will open up Wales’ links with the rest of the world and deliver new economic, leisure and travel opportunities for Welsh businesses and the people of Wales.
“I look forward to meeting with the group chief executive of Qatar Airways in Doha on Sunday and I will also be meeting senior officials in Qatar to explore potential investment opportunities for Wales.”