[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-11-02 AT 01:02 PM (GMT)][U]FROM BBC NEWS ONLINE[/U]
One of Wales’ smallest airports has been bought up by the airline Air Wales.
Swansea Airport has been bought for an undisclosed sum by local entrepreneur Roy Thomas – chairman and owner of the Cardiff-based airline.
The company now will move its base from Cardiff International Airport to Swansea, although passengers are being reassured flights from Cardiff will still take place.
A number of jobs are expected to be created as a result of the merger.
Air Wales hit the headlines earlier this year when it made an appeal for cabin crew under 5ft 3 inches – a height restriction it insists on because of tight space on the aircraft.
Two new luxury 50-seater ATR-42 aircraft have been ordered by the airline to cope with a planned increase in flights from Swansea, Cardiff and Plymouth Airports.
An Air Wales spokesman said: “A dramatic increase in staff numbers over the next few months will take place.”
Announcements on upgrading Swansea Airport as well as information on new routes are expected.
Mr Thomas said he was delighted the sale of Swansea Airport has been agreed upon with former owners Martin and Louisa Morgan.
He praised them for their work in “laying the foundations” for Swansea to become a thriving regional airport.
“The acquisition of Swansea Airport is of vital strategic importance to Air Wales,” said Mr Thomas.
“It provides Air Wales with an ideal operating base from which to continue developing what is Wales’ only airline.”
Economic regeneration
Air Wales is three years old and operates from Swansea to Dublin, Cork and Jersey.
It also flies from Cardiff and Plymouth to Dublin and Cork.
Mr Thomas, a Swansea-based commercial property investor and chartered accountant, said he hopes to expand the routes and destinations Air Wales has to offer from both Swansea and Cardiff airports.
He said improvements mean the airport could help with the economic regeneration of south west Wales.
Air passengers have already seen a growth in choice in travel with the start of bmibaby flights from Cardiff International Airport.
A range of destinations, which include European cities Geneva and Milan, are now on offer to travellers wishing to fly from Wales.
http://www.airwales.co.uk/idxspl.gif
http://www.Airwales.co.uk
By: T5 - 9th November 2002 at 21:57
RE: Air Wales to buy airport in order to expand.
Interesting stuff there A330,
On my recent trip to Wales, we passed Swansea airport, it’s very small and parked up on at the tiny terminal/hanger thingy-ma-jiggy was a Shorts 360.. and outside the airport was a banner promoting flights from Swansea to Cork and Jersey etc for £99.
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November 9, 2002 at 12:59 pm
