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Welsh Assembly Deliver on Airport Development
07 December 2004
Today's announcement of major transport initiatives (Tuesday 7th December) by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has been warmly welcomed by the Managing Director of Cardiff International Airport.
The Welsh Transport Minister, Andrew Davies AM, unveiled plans
to boost access to the airport, including a new and improved route
to Cardiff and the M4, a relief-road to speed traffic past Newport
on the M4, and the opening of a new direct rail link.
Mr Davies also confirmed progress on creating a "Route Development
Fund" to attract new international and inter-continental airline
services at Cardiff International Airport, and the Welsh Assembly's
intention to back an intra-Wales air network. Both these measures
have already been successful for Scotland and Northern
Ireland.
By speeding access to the Cardiff terminal, and reinforcing the
airport's international and inter-continental growth plans, these
measures will deliver benefits to passengers and to the Welsh
economy, according to Jon Horne, Managing Director of Cardiff
International Airport.
"In June 2003 we set out our vision for the future in our response
to the Department for Transport's Aviation White Paper consultation
and as part of that process we shared our plans with Transport
Officials within the WAG. Our vision saw the potential for Cardiff
International Airport's future development exceed the forecasts of
the DfT by 100%, (see notes) subject to the delivery of a number of
key elements and to that end we have worked closely with the WAG.
Today's announcement by Andrew Davies effectively puts in place our
wish list and gives us the ability to plan the delivery of our
vision for the future to the benefit of not just the airport, but
the economy and the people of Wales.
"But the timescale for delivering the initiatives in today's
announcement will be crucial and to this end, we will continue to
work closely with the WAG", he added.
"Easier and faster access by road and rail will enable us to
sustain our growth plans, and reinforce our ability to attract new
airlines and new routes", said Mr Horne.
"Early confirmation of the Route Development Fund will also boost
our negotiations with international airlines, which have recently
been successful. The doubling of low-cost flights to Paris by
award-winning airline, bmibaby, together with the introduction of
the West's first low-cost trans-Atlantic scheduled flights - a new
service to Toronto, with fares from less than £90 one-way, are but
two examples", said Mr Horne.
Cardiff International Airport was the UK's second fastest growing
regional passenger airport in the past year (Southampton was the
fastest growing) - and was the UK's fastest growing cargo
airport.
"Air transport is a fiercely competitive and fast moving industry.
Investment decisions by airlines, by airports, and by tour
operators are geared to certainties - so they all need to know that
today's announcements are certainties, and when they will be
delivered", said Mr Horne.
"Almost every aspect of today's announcement is geared to providing
a sustainable and integrated long term transport solution for
Wales", said Mr Horne.
The integration of different means of access is key to providing
people with choice and for the airport a long term sustainable
transport strategy. At a basic level, airports are like bus and
train stations - an interchange for public transport", he
argues.
"The recent agreement by bus and rail operators to co-operate in
delivering a shared time-table for the new services to the airport
is a perfect example, reducing the need for car journeys.
"Current access has enabled us to achieve substantial growth in air
services, which make a crucial contribution to the economy of
Wales. The proposed improvements open entirely new opportunities to
boost the range of international routes, the numbers of inbound
tourists and international inward investors, the potential to
become a cargo-hub, and the appeal of Cardiff International Airport
to Welsh and Westcountry passengers who still travel to a London
airport", said Mr Horne.
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