Airport News
Cardiff Airport boss aims to reach top 10 for UK passenger numbers
Mon, 05 Oct, 2009
A Cardiff Airport boss has said the Welsh Airport is aiming to reach the top 10 for UK passenger numbers, despite falling to 20th place last week.
Southampton Airport overtook Cardiff Airport as Civil Aviation Authority figures showed the number of passengers travelling to and from its terminal fell by almost 300,000 over the course of 2008/09.
Steve Hodgetts, Cardiff Airport business development and commercial director, told the Western Mail: "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."
He added that he believed passengers would return to Cardiff Airport thanks to the increased number of chartered flights to Egypt this winter and a new weekly service to Orlando being launched in May 2010 by UK airline Flyglobespan.
Flights to Florida with the airline will start at £170 per person.
Cardiff Airport passengers offered "tranquil" holiday option
Fri, 22 May, 2009
Cardiff Airport passengers have been offered a new "tranquil" holiday option.
Bmibaby has launched flights to Menorca from the hub, which will depart every Friday and Sunday until October 31st of this year.
Fares start from £36.99 one way, including taxes and charges and the firm expects to carry over 13,600 customers on the route this summer.
Managing director at the company Crawford Rix suggested the Balearic destination could be perfect for families, couples and explorers alike.
"[It] has many beautiful white sandy beaches, unexplored coves and ravines. The capital city Mahon is steeped in history and offers a great base from which to explore the rest of the island," he said.
Mr Rix added the ticket price means "people can still afford to get away this summer".
Those who decide to take the organisation up on its offer could also be interested in the airport parking options at the Welsh facility.
It is located close to the M4 motorway and drivers with a satnav device installed in their car can input the postcode CF62 3BD to get a number of directional options.
Cardiff Airport passengers offered "fantastic" deals
Thu, 14 May, 2009
Cardiff Airport passengers have been offered a "fantastic" deal on flights to Ireland.
Until midnight on Sunday (May 17th), child tickets on Aer Arann's routes to Cork and Dublin will be subject to a 75 per cent discount.
The firm remarked the country was great for a holiday, highlighting its beaches and the capital city's zoo.
Director of corporate affairs at the firm Andrew Kelly said it was one of their "best offers yet".
"We would encourage everyone to book now before it is too late. Cork and Dublin offer fantastic amenities for kids and adults alike so there really has never been a better time to plan that family trip," he stated.
The organisation also reminded customers it offers a free checked baggage allowance of up to 15 kilograms and a check-in system that does not incur a charge.
People driving to the Welsh facility are advised it is located close to J 33 on the M4.
Those with a savnav installed in their car can input the postcode CF62 3BD to discover the easiest route to its airport parking.
Increased weekend passengers expected at Cardiff Airport
Thu, 19 Mar, 2009
Cardiff Airport is set for a busy time this weekend as around 4,500 rugby fans are expected to descend on the hub.
The large number of Irish supporters will be arriving ahead of their country's appearance in the final Six Nations test match taking place on Saturday March 21st.
It is thought the busiest times will be between 08:30 and 13:00 GMT on the day of the game and between 22:00 and 01:00 GMT for passengers catching return flights.
Russell Clements, director of operations at the airport, said a similarly busy period had been experienced before as part of the event when Welsh fans left for Edinburgh to see their team take on Scotland last month.
"With Cardiff becoming renowned for its sporting events, especially rugby games, we're gaining more and more experience in dealing with big air lifts at the airport, and are always well prepared," he added.
The hub operates a car park for drivers meeting arriving passengers that is free for stays of fewer than 20 minutes.
Cardiff Airport set for facelift
Mon, 02 Mar, 2009
Cardiff Airport is to undergo redevelopment due to begin later this year.
As well as changing its name from Cardiff International Airport to simply Cardiff Airport or Maes Awyr Caerdydd, the building will have changes made to its design and layout, TravelMole reports.
The departures and arrivals halls will become one place and new services will be available.
Patrick Duffy, managing director, said that the redevelopment, which includes a new logo, would provide "a more discerning image domestically and internationally".
It is planned that the facelift will be completed by summer next year.
This would have it finished in plenty of time for the Ryder Cup, which will take place in Wales in October 2010.
Air passengers should book airport parking online in advance in order to get the best prices.
The airport provides scheduled flights to destinations including Geneva, Paris and Malaga, while charter flights can be taken to places such as Ibiza, Malta, Sharm el Sheik and Corfu.
Cardiff Airport to be renamed
Fri, 02 Jan, 2009
Cardiff Airport looks set to be renamed in an effort to boost the image of the Welsh hub and attract more passengers.
According to the Daily Telegraph, brand experts have been working on a list of possible titles with links to Wales.
Airport bosses believe a new name will do the same for Cardiff Airport as it did for Liverpool Airport when it was renamed after John Lennon.
Suggestions for Cardiff include Zeta-Jones International, the Shirley Bassey Gateway and Gavin and Stacey Airport.
However, not everyone is a fan of the proposed names. Welsh advertising expert Jason Gill said he hopes the marketing team does not succumb to "celebrity-craved popcorn culture".
"Liverpool got it spot on with the name and the branding. We must do the same," he insisted, adding: "I would like to see Anthony Hopkins or the late Richard Burton or Roald Dahl be considered."
Cardiff Airport operates flights to countries across Europe as well as North America and the Caribbean.
New flights from Cardiff to Menorca
Wed, 24 Dec, 2008
New flights from Cardiff Airport to Menorca are to begin next spring, giving holidaymakers even better access to the Balearic Islands.
Services will be operated by bmibaby and will commence on May 21st 2009. Two flights a week will leave Cardiff, on Thursdays and Sundays.
According to Cardiff Airport, bmibaby is the only low-cost airline to fly this route and it expects to carry more than 13,500 passengers during the summer.
"By launching this new service we are offering customers a unique summer destination at fantastically low fares," said bmibaby managing director Crawford Rix.
He said Menorca is a beautiful destinations that is perfect for a weekend break or a family holiday and the new service will therefore appeal to a wide range of travellers.
Cardiff Airport expects to welcome 38,000 passengers between December 22nd and January 1st. The Welsh hub said that 470 passenger flights are expected during this period.
Cardiff to Barcelona service to launch in May
Wed, 09 Apr, 2008
Budget airline bmibaby is to launch a new service between Cardiff Airport and the Catalonian city of Barcelona next month.
The route will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when it launches on May 24th. The airline will then add a Wednesday flight from June 18th to cater for the anticipated high demand of the summer months.
Fares on the route start from £24.99 one way, including taxes and charges.
The carrier recently started operating a new service from Cardiff Airport to the Polish city of Gdansk.
As a result, bmibaby now flies to 13 European destinations from the Welsh capital and managing director Crawford Rix indicated that it had plans to further expand its operations in the principality.
"We will continue to add more dots to the map to strengthen our position as the largest low-cost carrier from Cardiff," said Mr Crawford.
Bristol International Airport to host local bands
Tue, 25 Sep, 2007
Visitors to Bristol International Airport could be in for a treat as the normal tedium of checking in is transformed into an entertaining arena by local artists.
Bands and talented musicians have been invited to play in front of the hoards of travellers the airport handles every day.
Airport officials hope that the scheme will help to promote local talent and the south-west region as a whole.
Bristol International’s customer experience manager Jacqui Mills comments that the event will transform the airport from a clinical environment to a cultural space.
"Airports are often perceived as clinical spaces which look the same the world over, we can provide a great first impression of the south-west and introduce them to some of the best new talent around," she notes.
The occasion will provide an "alternative travel experience", she adds.
Furthermore, aviation enthusiasts are being invited to Bristol International Airport on September 30th to enjoy the aviation fair being held in the old terminal building.