CARDIFF AIRPORT REVEALS ITS 20-YEAR MASTERPLAN
20-PAGE BUSINESS IN WALES PULLOUT
CARDIFF Airport has unveiled its vision for the next 20 years. The “Masterplan” features a new terminal, a 4*-star hotel and a transport hub with multi-storey car park.
The plans are to develop the airport over the next two decades, with the aim of growing the current 1.5m passengers a year.
The new terminal will be based on two-levels and has a total GIFA (Gross Internal Floor Area) of approximately 40,000 sq m.
The Masterplan is based on robust forecasting and planning assumptions and is designed to deliver the infrastructure needed to support the following key milestones:
■ Achieving two million passengers by 2021;
■ achieving 2.5 million passengers by 2027;
■ achieving three million passengers by 2036; and
■ achieving 3.2 million by 2040.
It is planned that the new terminal will be connected to the hotel and car park.
A phased delivery of the plans will ensure the airport remains operational while the new terminal is built. Once completed, the existing terminal will be demolished and the area used for aircraft stands.
A partner for the proposed hotel will be explored over the coming months.
The current departure lounge recently underwent a £4m revamp, which included additional seating, two new Costa Coffee branches and an extended WH Smith store.
Part of the upgrade also included a brand-new business lounge, the 51° Lounge, and a revamped executive lounge which has its own bar.
The renovations coincided with the start of the new route to Doha’s Hamed International Airport with Qatar Airways.
Qatar provides capacity for 150,000 passengers a year, as well as significant freight capacity for Welsh exporters, at around 10 tonnes a flight.
The airline is targeting a catchment of 6.4 million people in south Wales and the south-west of England. In February the head of one of the world’s biggest airline groups raised the prospect of lowcost transatlantic flights out of the Rhoosebased airport.
However, chief executive of IAG Willie Walsh said the business case for its new airline LEVEL launching any new routes from Cardiff Airport would be enhanced if air passenger duty on longhaul flights was abolished.
IAG also operates British Airways and Vueling, which currently operates flights out of Cardiff Airport.
The airport has also agreed a 10-year contractual joint venture with the Welsh Government to take over the operation, management and maintenance of the St Athan airfield and business park when existing arrangements with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Serco come to an end on the March 31, 2019.
While Cardiff Airport is owned by the Welsh Government, it is run by an arm’s-length commercial company, Cardiff International Airport Ltd. Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates said that under the plans the business park, combined with the airfield activity, would generate significant economic benefits to Wales amounting to around £236m and approximately 2,000 jobs, which includes the 750
already committed by Aston Martin.
Mr Skates said: “We know we do not have the internal expertise to operate and manage an airport directly. Under the current arrangements, we have an obligation to the MoD to operate, manage and maintain the airfield for military purposes.
“Our plan now is to transfer responsibility for airfield operations, including management and maintenance, security, radar services and air traffic control, to a single-source supplier.
“Cardiff International Airport Ltd has been identified as the only supplier capable of providing all services required, due in part to its proximity to St Athan.
“We have developed a proposal to manage the transition of the airfield from Military Aviation Authority (MAA) to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licensing and have begun making submissions to CAA in this respect.
“We have also entered into a JV contract with Cardiff International Airport Ltd which will enable operation of the airfield and air traffic control to be delivered by them in a phased manner to ensure continuity of service.”
Cardiff Airport CEO Deb Barber added: “The Minister’s announcement complements the release of our draft Masterplan which sets out our vision up to 2040. Since Cardiff Airport came under public ownership in 2013, we have worked tirelessly to improve the terminal infrastructure, increase passenger numbers and welcome new routes and airlines to Wales.
“As we enter the next phase of our journey, we remain focused on delivering a sustainable airport business focused on continued passenger growth, improving infrastructure and maximising opportunities to diversify the business.
“As such, we welcome the opportunity to take over the operation, management and maintenance of the St Athan airfield and business park and remain grateful to our shareholder for recognising the potential of Cardiff Airport, both as a key asset for Wales and a contributor to the local economy.”
The “Draft Masterplan” was launched by First Minister Carwyn Jones, Mr Skates, airport chairman Roger Lewis and Ms Barber.
Mr Jones said: “These improvements are ambitious yet achievable and will enable the airport to continue its development of further aviation links to the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond, which will improve its competitiveness and attractiveness as a gateway to international travel and trade.
“We look forward to working with the team at Cardiff Airport to deliver these exciting developments.”
The plan also includes safeguards for a potential rail link to the airport and for an expansion to the runway.
The airport is seeking feedback on its plans and the public are asked to submit their views on the website cardiff-airport/masterplan2040.
The consultation period for a new road linking the M4 to the A48 closed yesterday.
Two proposals were put forward linking junction 34 of the M4 to the Sycamore Cross junction of the A48. The new route would lead on to A4226 (Five Mile Lane), which is currently undergoing improvements to increase its capacity and increase the speed limit from 40.
These proposals also include plans for a new railway station close to junction 34 of the M4 and a parkand-ride facility to the airport