Written question WQ86242

The £42.6m rescue and recovery package we have put in place is designed to enable Cardiff Airport to become self-sustainable and profitable in the future. It remains this Government’s policy objective to secure the long-term future of the airport on a financially sustainable basis and thereby protect the value of the Welsh Government’s investment in the airport.

If the UK Government was to support regional airports with fixed safety and security costs, they would return to profitability quicker.

As a commercial entity separate to the Welsh Government, it is the responsibility of the airport management team to reach profitability within the terms of the agreements in place with the Welsh Government. As part of these agreements and to support effective scrutiny by Welsh Ministers and the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, my officials undertake regular monitoring of the financial situation at the airport. Based on the evidence from this scrutiny, I am confident that the airport management team is doing everything within its power to steer the business through the present very challenging economic situation and establish a sound commercial foundation for sustainable profitability at the earliest opportunity.

However, we are seeing an increase in flights from the airport from companies such as KLM and Ryan Air.