Bristol Live
Pete Gavan & Sion Barry
15 October 2024
The growing gap in passenger numbers between the two airports is stark
Bristol Airport has voiced its deep concern over plans by the Welsh Government to provide a hefty subsidy of over £200m to Cardiff Airport, its closest competitor. The airport warned that this proposed state aid could put it at a commercial disadvantage.
This summer, Ken Skates, the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Transport, announced a proposed funding package of £205m over ten years for Cardiff Airport, which was bought by the Welsh Government for £52m in 2013. The funds are intended to safeguard and expand the 5,000 jobs supported by the airport.
A portion of the money would be set aside to attract new airlines and routes, with the goal of increasing passenger numbers to more than two million annually over the next decade. The finance would also support the airport's diversification strategy, aiming to generate non-terminal related revenues in areas such as aviation training, sustainable aviation fuel, cargo, and maintenance - areas where Bristol is not a significant player.
Any investment would be made on a case-by-case basis, focusing on grant support that leverages private sector investment. However, the growing gap in passenger numbers between the two airports is stark.
