Airport could see new hotels as part of long-term plans

NEW hotels at Cardiff Airport could be built as part of wider long-term plans to increase commercial activities.

The Rhoose-based airport, which is wholly-owned by the Welsh Government, has been approached by a number of hotel operators looking to have a presence to exploit growing passenger numbers.

While at an early stage, and subject to commercial negotiations, this could see a four star hotel built, as well as an economy hotel.

Chief executive of Cardiff Airport, Debra Barber, said: “We are looking at the development of the airport and the surrounding land as part of the masterplan exercise which is under way. We are exploring opportunities to increase our commercial activities of which new hotels will form a key part of the development.

“We have experienced almost 50% growth in passenger numbers over the past three years combined with our projected growth shows an increasing confidence in our business and appetite to continue developing facilities for our customers.”

The masterplan for the airport and its surrounding land, whose owners include financial services giant L&G, is currently being undertaken by Arup.

It is expected to be completed this spring.

As well as identifying commercial activities to supplement the core airport business, it is also looking at the case for a new terminal building.

The current terminal could accommodate three million passengers.

With more capacity and routes from existing scheduled and chartered airlines, which include Vueling and Flybe, by 2020 the airport is aiming to reach two million passengers and by 2025 three million – at which point it would new terminal capacity.

A new terminal could cost at least £100m; an investment would be the trigger for the Welsh Government selling a stake in the airport.

The highest passenger level achieved was under the ownership of airports group TBI with 2.3 million in 2007.

Last year passenger numbers rose 9% to 1.46 million.