Airport failing to reach potential

Cardiff could have 3.5m more passengers

Cardiff International Airport should boost its passenger numbers by around 3.5m a year, according to a report to the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday.

The document warns that the airport could become the "weakest link" in the south Wales economy unless it makes the most of what it has to offer.

Passenger services need to be improved

A working group, chaired by the Welsh Development Agency, and including airport executives, says it is failing to fulfill its potential.

Poor road access from the M4 and its image as just an airport for charter holiday flights are thought to be largely to blame.

The experts draft report warns the airport should improve its range of passenger routes and transport links.

The Assembly's economic development committee will be told that although the site has seen considerable growth in passenger numbers, it should still be playing a key role in attracting new business.

Plans for a multi-million pound reopening of the Vale of Glamorgan rail line have already been unveiled.

The disability rights commissioner for Wales Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick

But the cost of a new road from the outskirts of Cardiff to the airport - up to £100m - which could take up to 10 years to build is described as unacceptable.

Despite these criticisms, profits for the airport's owner, TBI, have shot up by 50% despite the downturn in the aviation industry, it was revealed in November.

TBI posted £21.4m in pre-tax profits for the six months to October in a move which bucked the current international trend.

The company, owned by Welsh entrepreneur Stan Thomas, also said passenger numbers were up 3% on last year from Wales alone, despite the slump in air travel after 11 September.

In the same month, the disability commissioner for Wales, Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick called on the airport to push for equal rights for wheelchair passengers.

He said it was unacceptable that many airlines using the airport were either not designed or insured to take wheelchairs.