‘Wales could have own airline’

WALES could have its own national airline, with direct flights to American destinations, if Plaid Cymru wins power, according to the party.

Economy spokesman Adam Price made the claim during a speech at Plaid’s Spring Conference in Llangollen. With another senior AM, Simon Thomas, Mr Price set out how Wales could look if Plaid runs the Welsh Government after the next two National Assembly elections.

Mr Price said that, in terms of per capita income, Wales is richer than “every nation in Asia bar two, and richer than more than half of Europe”.

The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM said: “Wales is a wealthy country where people live in poverty.”

He went on to outline policy ideas for a new “vibrant, confident, successful nation”. These included:

Associate membership of UN bodies; establishing a Wales national air carrier with direct connections to the Americas and Europe; hosting the first World Expo since 1907.

A national energy grid, with a national energy company connecting local electricity-generating companies; linking north and south with a national railway, national expressway and digital fibre spine.

Creating a National Housing Company to build new homes and end homelessness; a national care service funded by taxation, delivered through local government and free.

Making university education free for Welsh students; a guaranteed minimum income for all full-time work or education; making every school bilingual; making Wales a pathfinder for ending the use of petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

Mr Thomas said all electricity would be generated from renewable resources.