A huge amount of taxpayer cash is going to Bristol Airport’s closest competitorNews
Shannon Brown Reporter
07:37, 30 Apr 2025Updated 08:29, 30 Apr 2025
Bristol Airport(Image: Bristol Live)
The boss of Bristol Airport has criticised the Welsh Government’s plans to pump an additional £205m into Cardiff Airport, arguing that such a large subsidy would be unparalleled in the UK airport sector and give its closest competitor an unfair advantage.
The Welsh Government, which took over Cardiff Airport in 2013, explained that the proposed investment over the next ten years would aid the airport’s diversification strategy. This includes areas like aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul, general aviation and boosting freight movements.
A portion of the funding is also set aside to lure new airlines and routes, with the goal of pushing passenger numbers past two million annually within the next decade.
After receiving a non-legally binding evaluation of its investment plans from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Welsh Government recently submitted revised funding plans for the Rhoose-based airport to the UK subsidy transparency database.
In a public letter addressed to Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government’s Economy Secretary who also oversees the airport, Bristol Airport’s CEO, Dave Lees, accuses the Welsh Government of lacking transparency, with announcements being made before the Senedd went into recess, reports Wales Online.
Earlier this month, Ms Evans revealed a plan for a £20m investment in an announcement, which was closely followed by the Welsh Government’s disclosure on the UK subsidy transparency database of their intention to provide a whopping £205.2m for Cardiff Airport.
Mr Lees expressed his concerns: “It is deeply concerning that major announcements on the proposed subsidy have all taken place immediately prior to holidays and there was again no attempt to re-engage with Bristol Airport, despite repeated requests.”
He shared his frustration over the lack of clarity: “Furthermore, repeated attempts by members of the Senedd and others to seek further detail on how Welsh Government intends to respond to the concerns raised in the CMA assessment has also been unsuccessful, resulting in a serious lack of transparency around this unprecedented subsidy in UK aviation, which is being funded at great expense by the taxpayer.”
“We are publicly calling for details to be urgently made available on the proposed subsidy including the benefits it will deliver, what alternatives have been considered, how the impacts have been assessed, in the context of the significant additional cost burden to the taxpayer in Wales.
“State subsidy will mean there is no longer a level playing field for competition between airports and airlines operating within the UK. This proposal will undermine the confidence on future private sector investment in UK transport infrastructure.”
Bristol Airport will submit a formal request to the Welsh Government for further information about its proposed subsidy for Cardiff Airport. The airport will then await a response from the Welsh Government’s Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, before deciding on its next steps, which may include a legal challenge to the Competition Appeals Tribunal to determine whether the subsidy constitutes unfair state aid.
The Welsh Government has invested heavily in Cardiff Airport, providing more than £180m in financial support in addition to its initial £52m acquisition from a Spanish company.
A Welsh Government spokesperson stated: “We recognise the importance of Cardiff Airport to the Welsh economy and believe very strongly that, with the right investment, the Airport has the potential to make an even greater contribution, creating hundreds of additional jobs and boosting regional GVA (gross valued added).
“Welsh Government investment will allow Welsh ministers to focus the strategic direction of the Airport on the delivery of long-term economic growth with a view to realising these benefits.
“We acknowledge the correspondence received from Bristol Airport regarding the subsidy and will be responding as we consider appropriate in due course.”