As well as these short/medium-haul ights,
the BA presence at Cardiff also
occasionally results in its long-haul
ights from the USA being routed
here when Heathrow and Gatwick
experience problems.OTHER OPERATIONS
Many other associated businesses
and operators are based at Cardiff.
Dragon Fly Executive Air Charter,
an air taxi and multi-engine air
training company, is based on the
airport’s south side operating a eet of three
Beechcraft Super King Air 200s. Alongside
that company is the airport’s FBO ( xed base
operator) Signature Flight Support, which
provides a full range of services for the many
and varied visiting business aviation aircraft.
It also supported the crews during 2015
and early 2016 for the specially adapted,
Cardiff-based Oil Spill Response LockheedC-130A contract operated by Arizona-based
International Air Response.
Cardiff Aviation is primarily based at
nearby MOD St Athan but has a ight
simulator training establishment on
Cardiff’s south side, occupying the former
hangar used by the Norman Aeroplane
Company where Firecrackers, Nymphs and
Fieldmasters were built in 1987/88.Aeros established one of its
several UK bases at Cardiff in
2010, providing ying training on its
based eet of PA-28 Warriors and
PA-38 Tomahawks, occasionally
supplemented by Tecnam
P2006Ts twins.
Debra Barber, Managing
Director and Chief Operating
Officer, was appointed in
December 2015 after a career
in the RAF. She con rmed at the media
brie ng on January 9 her pleasure at the
passenger growth, new routes and pledged
further improvements for travellers, and to the
airport’s business-critical infrastructure. The
airport continues to promote – in association
with the airlines – established routes at
Cardiff and pursue new routes, especially
long-haul ones to the west and the east.60 Aviation News incorporating Jets March 2017FACTS AND FIGURES
Airport located at Rhoose 12 miles (19km) south
west of Cardiff
Air eld opened as RAF Rhoose, a satellite station
to RAF Llandow in April 1942
Airport opened to serve Aer Lingus (replacing
Pengam Moors, Cardiff), in October 1952
IATA Code: CWL ICAO Code: EGFF
Runway 13/31 (now 12/30) extended to 7,000ft
and opened in early 1970 then extended again in
1985/6 to 7,725ft
New terminal building and control tower opened
December 11, 1972
Website: http://www.cardiff-airport.comGeoff Jones is the author of Cardiff Airport at Rhoose published by The History Press and costs £16.99 ISBN 978 0 7524 5988 2Aeros established one of itsRight: Thomas Cook Airlines is a major
seasonal operator from Cardiff. An A330
departs for Cancun, Mexico, from Runway 12
while a Norwegian Boeing 737-800, which had
arrived from Tenerife South, is parked in the
background.The current terminal
and control tower on a
quiet afternoon with a Thomson
Airways Boeing 737-800 on stand.‘Cardiff Airport can also expect
up to 50 additional fl ights
bringing in fans to the UEFA
Champions League Final...
depending on the clubs involved.’
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