Andrew RT Davies, the Conservative Member of the Senedd for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, was speaking after the Welsh Government‑owned Cardiff Airport announced it had handled more than one million passengers over the past 12 months and been named the UK’s second fastest‑growing airport by the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA figures show a 24 per cent rise in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with overall passenger throughput up 14 per cent on 2024/25.
Mr Davies said the growth was “promising and encouraging” but argued that the absence of Qatar Airways from the airport’s stated “next steps” raised questions about its long‑term strategy. The Doha service, launched in 2018, was suspended at the start of the Covid‑19 pandemic and has yet to be restored, even though the airline has resumed flights at every other British airport it previously served. He said that gap left Wales missing out on the kind of long‑haul hub link that can help airports move into profit.
“It’s promising and encouraging to see Cardiff Airport attracted over a million passengers last year,” he said. “But it’s concerning that the airport hasn’t listed the return of Qatar Airways as part of its next steps. Qatar have resumed flights at every other British airport other than Welsh Government‑owned Cardiff – if it’s to become profitable it needs to attract carriers of this profile.”
The airport’s own update highlights rapid expansion by existing and new airlines. Canadian carrier WestJet has joined the line‑up, operating direct services to Toronto with onward connections across Canada and North America.
TUI is basing a fourth aircraft at Cardiff this summer and adding new routes including Hurghada, Faro, Fuerteventura and Kittilä, while Crystal Ski has launched winter flights to Turin following demand for its Chambéry and Salzburg services. Ryanair, meanwhile, is preparing for what the airport describes as its busiest ever summer from the Welsh capital.
Cardiff Airport also stresses its role in supporting the wider economy, saying it underpins thousands of jobs across south Wales and contributes more than £200m a year to the Welsh economy. It recently handled more than 19,000 international rugby fans travelling for the EPCR Challenge Cup Final, Investec Champions Cup Final and Six Nations tournaments, showcasing its ability to scale up for major events.
In response to Mr Davies’ comments, a Cardiff Airport spokesperson said they welcomed the positive recognition of the airport’s continued growth, with more than a million passengers choosing to travel through the terminal over the past year.
They added that discussions were ongoing with “multiple airlines” about future opportunities, with a focus on “delivering sustainable growth and developing connectivity that provides long‑term benefits for passengers, businesses and the Welsh economy”.
Those talks were “commercially sensitive and confidential”, the spokesperson said, meaning it would be “inappropriate to comment further” on individual carriers.
