Key Facts

Key Facts about Cardiff International Airport

Cardiff International Airport (CWL) welcomes more than two million passengers a year, serving an equal number of scheduled airline and charter passengers.  In 2006, the airport was connected with 56 direct destinations and more than 400 one-stop destinations around the world.

In 2006, Cardiff International underwent a £7 million enhancement programme, having already been the subject of £20 million investments since 1995. Since 2003, Cardiff has twice been voted one of the Top 10 Best UK Airports in the Telegraph Travel Awards.

Top five most popular destinations from Cardiff International in 2006 are:

1 Amsterdam, Netherlands
2 Palma, Spain
3 Edinburgh, Scotland
4 Alicante, Spain
5 Dublin, Ireland

The airport's runway is 2,392m long and 46m wide and, on average, up to 25 aircraft can take off and land every hour. This capacity means Cardiff International is the only airport in Wales and the South West to offer trans-Atlantic routes to Florida, USA, and services to Toronto in the east and to Vancouver on Canada's Pacific seaboard.

Aircraft take off and land over either the sea or agricultural land, ensuring that the airport has a low noise impact on its neighbouring community. Due to its elevation of 220 feet, Cardiff International Airport has the second best weather record in the UK (after Glasgow Prestwick Airport), so travellers can depend on the reliability of the services to and from the airport.

Public transport links include regular bus and train services, the latter via Rhoose Cardiff International Airport station, a five-minute shuttle ride from the terminal.

The airport lies in an area defined by the Welsh Assembly Government as a centre for aviation excellence, with several high-profile aviation companies being located in a small radius. Cardiff International itself is estimated at providing over 1,000 jobs and facilitates many aspects of the Welsh economy.

Cardiff International Airport is owned by abertis airports.