Airport hails increase in passengers
CARDIFF Airport has announced it has experienced 15 months of consecutive passenger growth. As of the end of May 2018, which in itself was the busiest May since 2009, passenger figures were up 9% for the rolling year to 1.51 million, with double-digit growth projected for the coming financial year.
Some 18 airlines now fly out of Cardiff, including Vueling and Flybe.
And in May the first direct service between Wales and Middle East was launched, with Qatar Airways’ daily service to the hub Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Flybe introduced a third aircraft to its base at Cardiff Airport and now offers flights to 17 destinations, plus four others via franchise partners. Passenger numbers have grown by 124% since the base opened in June 2015.
KLM celebrated 30 years of flying customers between Wales and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, acting as a key hub for passengers flying onwards to destinations across the world.
The airline has recently increased its capacity with the introduction of a larger, super-efficient Embraer 175 with a capacity of 88 seats and a 100-seater Embraer 190.
In addition, there are new summer flights to Antalya in Turkey with TUI and Thomas Cook, and a second weekly flight to Dalaman in Turkey with Thomas Cook.
And Spanish airline Iberia Express has returned for a second summer, flying twice a week to Madrid.
Deb Barber, chief executive of Cardiff Airport, said: “15 months of continuous passenger growth is a very promising reflection of how far Cardiff Airport has come and the positive direction that we are headed.
“Our airlines, namely KLM, Qatar Airways and TUI, have recognised the potential and invested in Wales, and we have also made significant improvements to the customer experience and the terminal which, again, encourages customers to choose to fly from Cardiff.
“Our commitment is to be a national airport that the people of Wales can be proud of and to be a vital gateway for visitors into the UK.
“With more positive developments to come and double-digit growth projected for the year ahead, Cardiff Airport is proud to fly the flag for Wales and to more exciting developments to follow.”
Moreover, a chartered service by Super Break will offer a direct flight from Cardiff Airport to Madeira, offering a winter sun break for passengers.
This will be the third chartered flight service to launch from Cardiff Airport by Super Break, following the success of its annual Northern Iceland programme which was first made available in late 2017, alongside Seville breaks in early this year.