Cardiff Airport sees 16% passenger growth in second quarter

Cardiff Airport recorded a 16% increase in passenger numbers during the second quarter, representing one of the highest proportional growth rates among UK airports. This surge follows a previous 24% rise in the first quarter, during which the Welsh Government-owned facility surpassed one million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time since the pandemic.

Data from the Civil Aviation Authority indicates that while UK-wide passenger numbers reached a record 81 million between April and June, the national growth rate remained relatively flat. Cardiff’s growth outpaced other regional airports, including Newcastle and Inverness, which both saw 8% increases. The broader UK aviation recovery has been largely driven by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Jet2, which both reported 9% year-on-year passenger growth.

Despite the overall increase, the airport faces challenges regarding specific routes. Vueling, an airline owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), recently confirmed it will discontinue its winter services to Alicante and Malaga from Cardiff, suspending flight sales beyond the end of the summer season.