Cardiff Airport CEO appointed

The former Managing Director of Cardiff Airport Jon Horne is returning as its new Chief Executive Officer, it has been announced. Last week the Welsh Government reached an agreement to buy the airport.

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Cardiff Airport CEO: 'Task ahead won't be easy'

The newly-appointed CEO of Cardiff Airport says taking charge of the struggling premises 'will not be an easy task'.

Jon Horne added that he plans to 'listen to what people want from their airport and what businesses want'.

I am delighted at being given the opportunity to take charge of Cardiff Airport once again at this very exciting time and I will do everything I possibly can to deliver an airport of which the people of Wales can once again be rightfully proud.

I recognise the task will not be an easy one, nor will it happen overnight, but I will not spare any effort in addressing the challenges ahead.

– Jon Horne, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff International Airport

Former Cardiff Airport MD Jon Horne returns as CEO

Jon Horne was Managing Director at Cardiff Airport from 2001 to 2007

The former Managing Director of Cardiff Airport is returning as its new Chief Executive Officer, it has been announced.

Jon Horne held the position at the airport from 2001 to 2007 and previously worked at London City Airport and Sheffield Airport.

Last week the Welsh Government reached an agreement to buy the struggling airport.

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Welsh Conservatives interrupt council tax discussion to question buying Cardiff Airport

Andrew RT Davies AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group interrupted Labour's Mick Antoniw AM in plenary this afternoon and demanded an answer on the Welsh Government's plans to take over Cardiff airport.

A Conservative urgent question about the take-over was turned down by the Assembly's Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler.

AMs have been recalled for one day from their Christmas recess to debate council tax benefit regulations.

  1. Nick Powell

First Minister won't face airport questions today

A Conservative urgent question about the Welsh Government's plans to take over Cardiff International Airport has been turned down by the Assembly's Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler. AMs have been recalled for one day from their Christmas recess to debate council tax benefit regulations.

The Conservatives wanted to use the opportunity to question Carwyn Jones about his announcement yesterday that his government is in negotiations to buy the airport from its present owners. It's a matter of judgement for the Presiding Officer whether to grant an urgent question.

I understand she decided that as today's meeting is an exceptional session, called to deal with specific business, it would be inappropriate to allow an urgent question on any topic. AMs could still link the purchase of the airport to the reduction in council tax benefit during today's debate.

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Conservatives to ask urgent question about Cardiff Airport deal

Yesterday, Carwyn Jones said he's committed to making Cardiff Airport "realise its true potential" Credit: ITV News Wales

The Welsh Conservatives are expected to ask an urgent question today over the Welsh Government's plan to buy Cardiff Airport.

First Minister Carwyn Jones announced the proposals yesterday amid growing concerns about the future of the airport.

The move, which is still subject to negotiations, has been attacked by the owners of the rival Bristol Airport and the Welsh Conservatives.

A history of Cardiff Airport

Cardiff's original airport, in Pengam Moors, opened in 1931 and operated until 1954.

The airport site near Rhoose village, in Vale of Glamorgan, opened as an airfield in 1942 and was used to train Spitfire pilots during the WWII.

1962 Main runway opened

1965 Ownership of the airport passed from the UK Government to Glamorgan County Council

1972 The new terminal building was officially opened by Prince Philip.

1986 The runway was extended by 750ft to accommodate Boeing 747 jumbo jets.

1990 Passenger flights topped 100,000 per year. 3years later reached 750,000

1995 Privatised

2007 Annual passenger numbers peaked at 2.7 million

2011 Bmibaby pulled its services from the airport

2011 reported operating loss of £319,000

Bristol Airport: 'We seek assurances that Cardiff Airport will be run on a commercial basis and would not receive subsidies from the Welsh Government"

Bristol airport say they are awaiting further information on the proposals with interest but,they say, based on the information available they would question whether the acquisition of a commercial business operating in a highly competitive market is the best use of taxpayers’ money.

They went on to say the nationalisation of Cardiff Airport goes against the global trend towards privatisation and increased competition amongst airports, which is particularly the case in the UK regional market.

Passengers in Wales are already well-served by a combination of Cardiff and other airports, including Bristol. Bristol Airport’s route network includes 100 direct services and access to many more destinations worldwide through multiple daily flights to major European hubs.

Bristol Airport welcomes fair competition on a level playing field, but we are concerned that Welsh Government intervention may distort the market for air travel in the South West of England and South Wales to the detriment of consumers on both sides of the border.

We are also concerned about the recent Silk Commission’s recommendation to devolve long-haul aviation passenger tax to Wales and the First Minister’s stated intention to scrap this tax.

The First Minister has stated today that Cardiff Airport will be run on a commercial basis and would not receive subsidies from the Welsh Government. We will seek assurances from the First Minister that this will be the case.

– Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport
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