Flights off as airport has its licence suspended
TRAINING flights from Swansea Airport have been grounded after the facility had its operating licence suspended.
The Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates civil aviation in the UK, confirmed it had suspended the licence of the facility on Gower’s Fairwood Common following a number of issues.
Director of the CAA Richard Stephenson said: “Following a recent unannounced safety audit at Swansea Aerodrome we discovered a series of safety concerns which has led us to suspend its operating licence.
“Swansea aerodrome is therefore currently closed to all flights which require the use of a licensed aerodrome. The suspensions will remain in place until our safety concerns are addressed.”
A pilot who uses the facility said there were a number of issues affecting the airport, including animals from the common having made their way onto the runway, as well as the supply of fuel, maintenance and fire cover – but the CAA declined to confirm the reasons for the licence suspension.
The pilot, who asked not to be named, said: “There have been a number of issues, including trying to land only to find cows on the runway.
“It might sound comical, but it is not. “Could you imagine coming into Heathrow and seeing cows on the runway?
“The licence suspension means there are some key areas that need to be addressed.
“The airport was aware of the issues, and has been working on them.
“I understand there has been work with the boundary fencing. But the suspension obviously has a knock-on effect. There are flying schools there, and there are people training to be pilots, but they won’t be able to use it while the licence is suspended.
“There have been some issues with maintenance and fuel, but private pilots are still able to use the airport, only they do so at their own risk”.
The airport, west of Swansea, was built during the Second World War, and was decommissioned and opened as Swansea Airport in 1949.
In addition to flying schools using the airport, there are also sky-diving operators.
The airport was also home to Wales Air Ambulance until it moved to a purpose-built site in Dafen, Llanelli, which opened in 2016.
The Western Mail attempted to contact the airport’s owner for comment but had received no response as we went to press.