Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Further to my Written Statement of 2 October 2024, the Welsh Government has carried out due process on the proposed investment package for Cardiff Airport.
We have given consideration to the Competition and Markets Authority’s assessment and have refined the technical details of the ten-year programme. We will now proceed to a first investment of £20 million.
We remain committed to the growth of this essential economic infrastructure, which currently generates over £200m in Gross Value Added (GVA) annually and supports thousands of jobs in the South Wales region. As outlined in the July 2024 written statement by the then Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport & North Wales, the investment is aimed at growing the local economy further by realising the full potential of Cardiff Airport's presence in Wales. The funding will develop additional economic activity for the benefit of the South Wales region and beyond, as part of an outward-facing, vibrant and attractive national economy. Developments may include facilities for aircraft maintenance, cargo handling and general aviation. Some of the investment will go towards exploring new opportunities such as possible air routes.
My officials will monitor the economic performance of the investment and will ensure that the subsidy be kept to a minimum to deliver the project. I commit to keeping the Senedd updated at appropriate times during the course of the ten-year programme.
A summary of the Welsh Government’s award will be uploaded shortly to the UK subsidy transparency database.