Boost as airport lands flights to Middle East
CARDIFF Airport has received its biggest ever boost after landing one of the world’s best known and fastest growing airlines – Qatar Airways.
The airline is investing in a new, frequent longhaul direct service to the Middle Eastern hub of Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The deal was announced by Qatar Airways Group chief executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker.
The new route, which will start in 2018 and could fly seven days a week in the summer season, will provide a direct route into the world’s fastest growing hub airport, giving access to its 150 connecting destinations and bring Welsh businesses closer to key global markets, such as India, China, Singapore and Australasia.
The announcement is also set to bring the airport closer to its target of three million passengers a year (currently 1.3 million), at which stage it would require a new terminal building in an investment running into several hundred million pounds.
It could also provide a catalyst for Middle Eastern investment into new infrastructure projects in Wales and strengthen the case for a direct service from Cardiff to North America with passengers from the Middle East changing at Cardiff Airport for a connecting flight.
Cardiff Airport secured the route in the face of competition from other airports in the UK, including its closest rival Bristol.
Debra Barber, chief executive of Cardiff Airport, said: “I am immensely proud that Qatar Airways has chosen Cardiff Airport to operate its new service to Doha. It is fantastic that we will now be able to offer our customers more choice with a world-class airline providing easy connections to destinations across the world.”
Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Vueling announced it was increasing capacity on flights from Cardiff Airport to Spain for the new summer season by 16%.
The Spanish airline has scheduled routes to Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma Majorca.