The difference in passenger numbers between Bristol Airport and Cardiff Airport over two years (2022 and 2023) is significant:
| Year | Bristol Airport Passengers | Cardiff Airport Passengers | Difference (Bristol – Cardiff) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7,948,941 | 859,805 | 7,089,136 |
| 2023 | 9,913,011 | 838,529 | 9,074,482 |
Details:
- Bristol Airport saw an increase from about 7.95 million passengers in 2022 to nearly 9.91 million in 2023, a growth of approximately 24.7%.
- Cardiff Airport had around 860,000 passengers in 2022, which slightly decreased to about 839,000 in 2023, a decline of roughly 2.5%.
- This means Bristol Airport handled over 9 million more passengers than Cardiff Airport in 2023, and the gap widened compared to 2022.
Summary:
Bristol Airport is substantially busier than Cardiff Airport, with Bristol handling more than 10 times the number of passengers annually. While Bristol’s passenger numbers increased significantly between 2022 and 2023, Cardiff’s numbers slightly declined during the same period.
The Welsh Conservatives have renewed criticism of Labour’s reckless spending on Cardiff Airport, following a written statement from the Minister for Economy confirming that Bristol Airport has launched a legal challenge against the planned £205.2 million subsidy via the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Sam Rowlands MS, said:
“The Welsh Labour Government has already sunk more than £200 million of taxpayers’ money into this failing nationalised airport – that’s around £286 per household across Wales.
“Given these figures, people across Wales will rightly question what they are getting in return.
“Labour has shown time and time again that Ministers in Cardiff Bay have no idea how to run an airport and they should follow calls from the Welsh Conservatives that this failing airport should be sold to the private sector, so that it can not only survive but thrive.”
The Welsh Government has provided substantial financial support to Cardiff Airport since its purchase in 2013. Here is a rough breakdown of the total amounts and types of funding:
Purchase of the Airport
Additional Equity Investments
- 2013: £3.3 million at the time of purchase (converted to share capital).
- 2018: £6 million.
- 2023: £6.6 million.
- Total equity investments (including purchase): £67.9 million.
Loans
- Since 2013, the Welsh Government has provided five commercial loans totaling £69.8 million.
- In March 2021, £42.6 million of the commercial loan debt (including interest) was written off.
- As of January 2025, the outstanding debt (including accrued interest) is £35.5 million.
Grants
- 2016: £169,000 for safety and security.
- 2019: £523,000 for e-Passport Gates.
- 2021: £42.6 million rescue and recovery grant (fully drawn by January 2025).
- Total grants: £43.3 million.
Overall Total
Summary:
The Welsh Government has invested a total of £181 million in Cardiff Airport since 2013, including the £52 million purchase price, further equity investments, loans (some of which have been written off), and grant funding.Cardiff Airport is not profitable. According to its most recent published accounts, the airport reported a pre-tax loss of £4.5 million for the year ending March 2023, even after receiving a government grant of £5.3 million. While the airport reported a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) of £863,000 for that period, this figure does not account for interest, tax, depreciation, or the substantial government support it receives.
The airport continues to rely heavily on Welsh Government financial support, including grants, loans (some of which have been written off), and ongoing investment, totaling over £179 million since 2013. The Welsh Government has also committed a further £206 million over the next decade to support the airport’s operations and development.
Passenger numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels, and the airport’s accounts and government statements confirm that it is still making losses and is dependent on public funding to remain operational
Cardiff International Airport, Rhoose © Rob Burke :: Geograph Britain and Ireland
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