Category: New Items for October 2025

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COULD THE AIRPORT BE FLYING HIGH AT LAST?

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Many of us love to use Cardiff Airport, especially with the time and cost implications of flying from other airports like Bristol or Heathrow. With a ten-year plan of major developments, we will hopefully see a positive transformation in the airport’s fortunes.

Major investment

A major factor in the plans is a significant government investment of over £200 million in the next decade. The aim is to improve infrastructure, expand airline services and upgrade passenger facilities. The strategy aims to increase passenger numbers and grow the airport’s role in the regional economy. The hope is to boost passenger numbers from 0.84 million in 2023 to 2.3 million over the next decade and create 2,000 jobs. We can also look forward to the development of new routes, including to key global hubs.

There have been several improvements already. A new security checkpoint with advanced technology has been installed, which has speeded up screening. The new technology allows passengers to leave liquids under 100ml in their hand luggage, meaning the screening process should be quicker. It also means passengers can leave laptops, tablets and mobile phones in their hand luggage as they pass through security screening. On the business side, a new base for European Cargo, launched in October 2024, has utilised the airport’s 24/7 operating status and grown its freight business. Huge cargo planes have been flying in from as far away as China.

New routes

Airlines have already responded to the airport’s revitalisation by significantly expanding their services. TUI is making a major investment by basing a fourth aircraft at the airport for the Summer of 2026, creating 48,000 additional holiday slots. The idea is to increase flight frequency on popular routes to destinations like Tenerife, Turkey and Majorca. Gran Canaria will also get more flights and the new flights will align with Marella Cruises’ winter programme in Gran Canaria onboard Marella Voyager, with its cruise packages available for the first time from Cardiff. They plan to add new services to Hurghada, Egypt, and Faro, Portugal next Summer. An exclusive route to Fuerteventura will launch from December. Other airlines are following suit. From this Summer, Ryanair is operating its largest-ever programme from Cardiff, with an 18% increase in departures and extra flights to Dublin and Malaga. Vueling have taken up the challenge and expanded its service to Malaga.

Ambitious long-term plans

The plans have not been without controversy. There may be environmental objections to some of the planned developments. Bristol Airport has launched an ongoing legal challenge in the Competition Appeal Tribunal to Welsh Government subsidies. In a statement they said, ‘Bristol Airport welcomes competition, but this must be on a level playing field to avoid market distortions.’ The Welsh Government have stated their intention to defend the new subsidies. Success is likely to prove vital in the longer term. The aim is that by 2040 a new airport terminal will be built along with a multi-storey car park and new cargo terminal. A key focus is improving access for passengers and businesses. The airport is planned to be integrated with the Metro network, including bus links from the train station and a new road link from the M4 at Junction 34.

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