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Cardiff Airport History |
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So how did
it all start? Aer Lingus began the first commercial services in the 1950s with a route to Dublin beginning in 1952. As the number of flights expanded – to France, Belfast and Cork - a new terminal building was also constructed and passenger numbers climbed through the 100,000 barrier. Ownership of the Cardiff Airport was conveyed from the Ministry of Defence to Glamorgan County Council in 1965 and by 1971 the first transatlantic flight took place from Cardiff. Expansion of the airport included further enhancement of the terminal building and control tower as well as a longer runway. By the 1980s passenger levels soared through 250,000 with increased charter traffic to the Mediterranean especially. In 1986, further extension of 750ft to the runway attracted even more business. This growth was highlighted when Manx Airlines established their European Air Route Hub at Cardiff in the early 1990s. The airlines daily services to key business destinations within Europe and the UK help see scheduled passenger levels exceeded 100,000 for the first time in a single year. 1992, the airport’s Golden Jubilee, was a boom year with a growth in passenger numbers of increasing by 22% to 743,219. The celebrations included in a Royal visit, with Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra unveiling a commemorative plaque. Re-development of the landside forecourt area, expansion and modernisation of the International Departures Lounge, modification of the roadway access to the Terminal, and construction of a new security access point were all carried out in 1993. By August 1994 the Cardiff Airport celebrated attaining the 1 million passenger mark for the first time in its history. In April 1995 the Cardiff Airport Company was privatised, with shares being sold to Welsh property and development firm, TBI Plc. Cardiff International Airport's success continues as it ranks as one of the UK's most successful regional airports.
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