'Cardiff is a joy to fly from' say passengers as Bristol Airport objects to Welsh government subsidy plans

Bristol Airport has voiced its "deep concern" over the Welsh Government's plan to provide more than £200 million in subsidy support to its competitor, Cardiff Airport.

Wales Online readers have been having their say on Bristol Airport who have voiced serious reservations about the Welsh Government's plan to offer more than £200 million in subsidy support to Cardiff Airport, its closest rival. The airport cautioned that such state aid could place it at a commercial disadvantage.

The Welsh Government's strategy is designed to protect and grow jobs at Cardiff Airport, attract new airlines and routes, and boost passenger numbers over the next ten years.

The widening disparity in passenger numbers between the two airports is clear, with Bristol serving 9.8 million passengers compared to just over 841,000 at Cardiff. Bristol Airport underscored its contribution to the Welsh economy without the need for state financial assistance.

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has scrutinised the Welsh Government's subsidy plans, flagging up concerns about potential market distortions and impacts on competition.

The CMA report stressed the necessity for a more transparent presentation of evidence concerning competition and investment impacts. Several UK airports, including Birmingham Airport and Regional and City Airports, raised concerns about distortions to competition.

The Welsh Government defended its subsidy proposal, arguing that without it, Cardiff Airport would find it difficult to expand its business effectively.

One reader, Letty Mason says: "Personally I am sick to death of having to drive from West Wales to Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester airport or consider taking the train and being in a two carriage train with no buffet service not to mention less than adequate luggage space. If an airline company could provide a flight from Cardiff Airport to Heathrow it would do well, but unlike Cornwall, which runs a direct rail service starting at Penzance to Paddington with a proper train or its air service from Newquay to Heathrow. I could take the train and get no help from station staff with my bag or even getting basic information when changing and hope to goodness there are no delays or cancellations leaving passengers stranded or take my car staying overnight at a hotel rather than drive overnight and spending serious money on petrol and airport parking. I hate Bristol Airport, but I would use Cardiff if they sorted it out."

Malt adds: "Bristol Airport is horrendous, difficult and expensive to get to, overcrowded, long corridors, uphill struggle with bags, expensive for drop off /pick up etc. Bristol Airport is just being greedy. Wales needs a decent airport. I live near Cardiff airport and it's ridiculous to have to go to Bristol airport. Labour in London should devolve airport passenger taxes to thee Senedd as in Scotland and N.Ireland. For the benefit of Wales make Cardiff airport viable."

Richard1V believes: "It's called competition. The owners of Cardiff Airport, in this case, The people of Wales, have the right to see investments made to increase profitability and accessibility. The Airport was underfunded by its previous owners and starved of the investment that it needed. Rather than bleat about the progress of its competitor, it is doing something about it. You have to speculate to accumulate! Did the people of Wales complain when the UK government or Bristol council funded new road access? No! Be positive and back the investment, instead of the negative stance of the the opposition in complaining."

MillieG writes: "Most people in Wales hate travelling from Bristol, Birmingham and London airports, we want to travel from our own airport without going into England. Bristol Airport has already has enough passengers and other businesses using it. Let's make Cardiff Airport bigger and better."

Screamingmadwitch says: "Cardiff Airport needs this funding to offer a better varied service. I just hope they bring their prices down to compare with Bristol Airports. Why should we, in South Wales, have no option but to fly from Bristol for more varied routes and for much lower cost flights? Cardiff is the Capital City of Wales (like it or not) and as such deserves a Class 1 airport. We are talking about NOW and the way forward. Why should the people of Wales, in many instances, have to travel to Bristol for their holiday getaways simply because it knocks £hundreds off their flights, etc., plus they have more of a choice in destinations?! Our Welsh Government should shift themselves and get it right, this time. They have missed out on £millions in the past."

Bikelanesnotcancercare states: "Bristol Airport is the worst airport in the UK in my opinion, trouble is, it flies to more than a handful of destinations. That’s the problem, Cardiff is a joy to fly from (I fly later this week from there), but it’s the small number of flights that make it so easy and the staff so nice. If the staff at Bristol Airport were not so unpleasant I would say they have a point, thing is there is nothing about Bristol Airport staff worth supporting. That ‘supports 5000 jobs’ is clearly untrue, jobs are always massively over exaggerated to get acceptance whether that be the public sector justifying something or the private sector trying to get public funding for something the wiser private sector refuse to fund."

Garni adds: "I, for one, would love to see improvements to Cardiff airport. As a 60+ person with significant health issues, it would be so much easier for me to travel from my local airport. I would love to see more long haul departures to the Caribbean. I’m sure I’m not the only senior citizen that feels like this, and after all, we are the generation with more time for holidays."

Endosurvivor thinks: "It should be made easier for people living in South Wales to get to Cardiff Airport by public transport. Why is there no direct public transport from West Wales, taking in Llanelli and Swansea, for example, to Cardiff Airport? It is easier to get to Heathrow. I would use Cardiff Airport if I could get on a bus in Swansea and be dropped off outside Cardiff Airport. Instead, I travel to Bristol Airport, which has become a nightmare, or go to Heathrow or Gatwick."

McW says: "Bristol Airport is hideous, Cardiff airport is actually a really nice, clean, and well structured airport... it's a shame what has happened to Cardiff as it was always a pleasure to fly from there. Be very nice if Cardiff could become a thriving airport again."

Do you agree with Bristol Airport or not? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.