Welsh government criticised for plans to buy airport
The Welsh government’s plan to buy Cardiff airport after a slump in numbers has caused a division among politicians.
Conservatives are calling for proof that the plan will be good for the taxpayer after what they are calling Labour’s attempts to ‘nationalise’ the airport, reports the BBC.
But ministers say they have public opinion on their side.
Conservative transport spokesman Byron Davies said announcing plans to buy the airport during the assembly’s recess had caused a "lack of transparency".
"I don’t believe nationalisation is the way forward," he said.
"There is no current reason to believe their ownership of Cardiff airport will be anything but another financial calamity."
The deal is expected to be decided in the coming months after negotiating an agreement with the current owners TBI.
First Minister Carwyn Jones, who announced last month that the Welsh government plans the buyout, is critical of the declining passenger numbers at the airport.
The total was down 13% in 2011 to a little over 1.2m. Over the same period, passenger numbers at its nearest competitor, Bristol Airport, rose 1% to more than 5.7m.
A price for the deal, which is likely to be "tens of millions", has not been announced, but Jones insists a commercial operator will be brought in to run the airport if the sale goes through.
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt