The Welsh Government’s decision to acquire loss-making Cardiff Airport has been defended by Economy Minister Vaughan Gething. The minister also stressed that the Cardiff Bay administration would not face any conflict of interest in deciding where to locate the first freeport in Wales.
The airport, which was acquired by then First Minister Carwyn Jones in 2013 from Spanish conglomerate Abertis for £52m, was dealt a blow in its post-Covid recovery plans last week with the decision that low-cost carrier Wizz Air is pulling its base from the Rhoose-based airport permanently - having mothballed it for the current winter season.
The airport, which operates on commercial grounds through an at arm’s length company from Welsh Government, said the decision by the Hungarian-own airline was unexpected and that demand for Wizz flights for the planned summer season was strong. Wizz blamed the decision on wider economic challenges. Since acquiring the airport the Welsh Government has written off more than £40m in debt. Its latest funding of £40m to support its recovery is repayable.
