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
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