Cardiff gains Anglesey air link
Regional airline Highland Airways plans to run flights between Cardiff and Anglesey.
The Inverness-based carrier has won the first Welsh PSO (public service obligation) route sponsored by the Welsh Assembly, subject to no objections being received to the procurement process.
Highland plans to operate twice daily flights on weekdays linking Cardiff International Airport with Anglesey (RAF Valley) using a 19-seat Jetstream 31 from April.
Highland Airways commercial director Basil O’Fee said: “We are very pleased and honoured to be awarded this first air route in Wales promoted for the needs of the community.
“Clearly our experience in serving the remote Western Isles all the year around was a major factor in securing this competitive contract.
“Our selected aircraft type is also ideal for the anticipated usage and route sector length. Since 2001 we have been providing scheduled passenger flights from Inverness to and within the Western Isles with passenger numbers similar to those anticipated for this operation.
“The new route will be of great benefit to Wales from a commercial and tourism point of view. It is subsidised, but in our view is capable of being developed into a fully standalone and successful route given some time.
“It opens up a new era in terms of Welsh national integration through better links between the north and south. Our timetable will be designed to permit a day’s business to be achieved at either end of the route”.
Andrew Davies, Welsh minister for enterprise innovation and networks, said: “Air services have an important role to play within the framework of an integrated transport system and I am keen to exploit their full potential.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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