Cardiff 'will beat the downturn'

03/10/2009

Despite new figures showing Cardiff Airport has fallen to its lowest place for years in terms of passenger numbers, the site's senior staff remain optimistic.

The airport fell behind Southampton to 20th place in the most recent figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Steve Hodgetts, the airport's development and commercial director, told WalesOnline that a fall in charter business and the loss of North American flights were behind the falling passenger numbers.

He added: "I'm not going to get aggrieved about going from 19th to 20th. I would rather be in the top 10. I think that’s the sort of ambition we should be setting for Wales. It's not about 19th or 20th."

A note of optimism comes from news budget operator Flyglobespan is to start weekly flights from Cardiff to Orlando. Flights to Egypt over Christmas could improve things further, noted Mr Hodgetts.

In 2006 the airport underwent a £7 million refurbishment programme, having already received £20 million of investment since 1995.

Posted by Mike Booth