Cardiff: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[Barry Man]

British Airways has announced a multi-million pound investment in its engineering maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport.

The planned investment will expand one of three existing maintenance bays at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) to facilitate larger long-haul A350 aircraft. When completed, BAMC will go from one to two fully flexible bays, which will allow more complex and detailed maintenance work to be completed.

The planned work will help increase the airline’s efficiency across maintenance operations as the engineering base will be able to facilitate more aircraft types. Currently, the base can only serve Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft types. This expansion, part of the airline’s £7bn transformation investment, will get underway in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2026. The project underscores the airline's commitment to the future of its Cardiff-based operations – which employs 480 colleagues, supporting the Welsh economy.

Andy Best, Chief Technical Officer at British Airways, said: “Our Welsh engineering base is an integral part of our maintenance operation, and this investment, as part of our wider maintenance strategy, will ensure that British Airways Engineering Wales continues to play a key role for many years to come. The expanded facility provides us with greater flexibility and control over our Heavy Maintenance activity on both the Boeing and Airbus long-haul fleets, ensuring more efficient planning and execution.”

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government, said: “This is very welcome news from British Airways, paving the way for further growth at their Cardiff site and its highly skilled workforce.

“This announcement once again demonstrates the vital role that Cardiff Airport plays in bringing investment into Wales and in growing our Aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul sector, where we see continued international interest”

This investment is a recognition of the airline's worldwide reputation for quality and reliability in aircraft maintenance. It acknowledges over 30 years of BAMC’s experience in this industry and will help build on that experience to keep delivering excellence in the future.

 

[CAN&I]

As covered by Barry Man above, here is the link to the original BA media briefing from 22nd November 2024:

https://mediacentre.britishairways....ion-pound-aviation-investment-in-cardiff-base

 

[Qing4theloo]

And indeed announced on this very thread (post number 3714 on p.186) ...
It was 6 months before I joined. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it 😁

 

[Jerry]

"Burnham said he had promised the Welsh government "to look at any asks for further devolution and policing has been specifically mentioned within that"
As devolution of Air Passenger Duty was in the current Welsh government manifesto i do wonder if they'll ask for it.

Andy Burnham says he is 'open' to devolving policing in Wales

Andy Burnham said it was a "good time" to look at issues like policing during his visit to Wales.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[CAN&I]

Can't help but feel APD devolution seems increasingly unlikely at the moment given the "green" objectives and recent increase in flight taxation. Even if it the debate re-opened, Bristol and Birmingham Airports will vigourously challenge it, plus the WG will be pressed hard as to how they will pay for it - if they reduce it or abolish completely.

 

[Jerry]

Can't help but feel APD devolution seems increasingly unlikely at the moment given the "green" objectives and recent increase in flight taxation. Even if it the debate re-opened, Bristol and Birmingham Airports will vigourously challenge it, plus the WG will be pressed hard as to how they will pay for it - if they reduce it or abolish completely.

It'll be interesting to see if the Welsh government ask for it as it was in their manifesto.

Some highlights from the Airliners World article from the interview with Jon Bridges

His first 6 months he's talked to about 30 various airlines at conferences etc, he doesn't want flash in the pan airlines.

He mentions being open 24/7 365 days a year and that long-haul is a big opportunity.

He wants to build sustainability for the longer term. Sustainable partner and sustainable routes get mentioned as well in building longer term relationships with airlines.

Mentions about getting the message out being open for business for both cargo and passenger.

Mentions a 5-10 year strategic plan with infrastructure development as part of that and building a solid foundation for growth.

Bus service connectivity gets mentioned with the airport looking to ensure it does have that.

Exploring a Metro link is mentioned as a long term opportunity especially with him thinking Cardiff can be an economic gateway to Wales.

Cardiff modest drop off fee gets a mention in relation to its competition with revenue from it put back into airport infrastructure.

Profitability is mentioned as a key aim so the airport can stand on it's own 2 feet and to make sure alternative revenue streams are maximised. Cargo gets mentioned there.

He definitely seems to be positive about the airport and the future.

Overall a good article. You do have to pay for it if you want to read the whole thing.

https://pocketmags.com/magazine/reader/298461?pageNumber=6&article=article_70-1

 

[geoff]

Scathing post on Pprune about CWL, stating a list of 6 items where CWL management had failed in the past, and that they were an insult to the management capabilities of Basil Fawlty. Perhaps he is not aware that the management team at CWL, has changed considerately in recent times, and the present team are working really hard to improve all aspects in relation to the airport.

 

[MrFenner]

Scathing post on Pprune about CWL, stating a list of 6 items where CWL management had failed in the past, and that they were an insult to the management capabilities of Basil Fawlty. Perhaps he is not aware that the management team at CWL, has changed considerately in recent times, and the present team are working really hard to improve all aspects in relation to the airport.

Just look at that posters historic posts, nothing but doom and gloom from them all re: CWL!

Pinch of salt job again.

That site is toxic at the best of times…

 

[Barry Man]

Got too face it contributors on Prune just don’t like Cardiff Airport and nothing will change over time . They are only there for argument, just read what they say and ignore them best way .