Airport to remain open – despite calls for it to close

THE Welsh Government has insisted that Cardiff airport will remain open, despite calls for it to be shut down because of Covid-19.

Some Conservatives have argued that it should not be functioning.

Powys county councillor Amanda Jenner tweeted: “Picnics banned, but Cardiff airport open. Self contained holidays in Wales stopped, but Cardiff airport open. Teenagers missing more valuable time in school, but Cardiff airport open. Places of worship shut, but Cardiff airport open. Businesses in non Covid high areas shut yet…”

Her tweet was liked by Suzy Davies, the Tory AM for South Wales West.

Clive Sedgebeer, a long-term critic of the airport since it was bought by the Welsh Government when Carwyn Jones was First Minister in 2013, tweeted: “All hospitality & tourism businesses in Wales must close according to @fmwales yet he is refusing to close down Cardiff airport even though it has NO business flights only holiday routes. He wants to protect his airport and keep feeding foreign hotels.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Cardiff airport has played a key role in our response to coronavirus, facilitating medical flights and managing deliveries of PPE for frontline NHS staff across the UK.

“It also remains open for legitimate travel and continues to operate in line with relevant guidance.”

Last month it was revealed that business at Cardiff airport was down 93% on the same time last year due to Covid-19, its boss said. Interim chief executive Spencer Birns told the Commons’ Welsh Affairs Committee that the airport has been “massively impacted” by the pandemic.