Cardiff International Airport has unveiled a new name and logo to "celebrate being Welsh."
Cardiff International Airport has unveiled a new name and logo to "celebrate being Welsh."
Renamed Cardiff Airport and Maes Awyr Caerdydd, the terminal frontage and approach will also get a £3m facelift.
Renamed Cardiff Airport and Maes Awyr Caerdydd, the terminal frontage and approach will also get a £3m facelift.
It started life as Rhoose Airport in 1942 and has had a succession of names.
It started life as Rhoose Airport in 1942 and has had a succession of names.
Director of business development Steve Hodgetts said: "We wanted to simplify the name. Everybody assumes an airport is 'international' That's part and parcel of what it does."
Director of business development Steve Hodgetts said: "We wanted to simplify the name. Everybody assumes an airport is 'international' That's part and parcel of what it does."
Managing director Patrick Duffy said it was important "to clearly align the airport's brand with its Welsh location".
Managing director Patrick Duffy said it was important "to clearly align the airport's brand with its Welsh location".
The redevelopment work, costing around £3m, is expected to begin in October, with the arrivals and departures halls linked into one large common area, to allow the provision of new food and retail services.
The redevelopment work, costing around £3m, is expected to begin in October, with the arrivals and departures halls linked into one large common area, to allow the provision of new food and retail services.
The work is expected to be finished in time for the Ryder Cup in October 2010.
The work is expected to be finished in time for the Ryder Cup in October 2010.
New bilingual signage is to be installed as part of the work. The airport said the bilingual format of the re-branding showed that national identity was an important element of the brand.
New bilingual signage is to be installed as part of the work. The airport said the bilingual format of the re-branding showed that national identity was an important element of the brand.
Before it was known as Cardiff International Airport, the airport was called Cardiff-Wales Airport.
Before it was known as Cardiff International Airport, the airport was called Cardiff-Wales Airport.
Previously it was also known as Glamorgan (Rhoose) Airport and before that Cardiff (Rhoose) Airport.
Previously it was also known as Glamorgan (Rhoose) Airport and before that Cardiff (Rhoose) Airport.
It opened as Rhoose Airport in 1942. We wanted to simplify the name - everybody assumes an airport is "international" - that's part and parcel of what it does Steve Hodgetts, director of business development, Cardiff Airport
It opened as Rhoose Airport in 1942. We wanted to simplify the name - everybody assumes an airport is "international" - that's part and parcel of what it does Steve Hodgetts, director of business development, Cardiff Airport
Mr Duffy said the changes would "present a more discerning image domestically and internationally".
Mr Duffy said the changes would "present a more discerning image domestically and internationally".
He said: "It is also important to clearly align the airport's brand with its Welsh location."
He said: "It is also important to clearly align the airport's brand with its Welsh location."
"However, the ultimate drivers of growth for Cardiff Airport will be airlines responding to increased economic performance in south Wales and increased visibility of Wales internationally.
"However, the ultimate drivers of growth for Cardiff Airport will be airlines responding to increased economic performance in south Wales and increased visibility of Wales internationally.
"These are issues which can only be addressed as part of wider economic policy and industrial development in Wales."
"These are issues which can only be addressed as part of wider economic policy and industrial development in Wales."
Director of business development Steve Hodgetts said the redevelopment work was starting after the summer so as not to inconvenience passengers during the airport's busiest season.
Director of business development Steve Hodgetts said the redevelopment work was starting after the summer so as not to inconvenience passengers during the airport's busiest season.
He added that the name change was beginning of a long programme of changes.
He added that the name change was beginning of a long programme of changes.
Cardiff Airport had 1.9m passengers in 2008 and directly supports more than 1,000 jobs.
Cardiff Airport had 1.9m passengers in 2008 and directly supports more than 1,000 jobs.
It is part of the Spanish-owned TBI network, which owns, operates or provides services at 13 airports in five countries.
It is part of the Spanish-owned TBI network, which owns, operates or provides services at 13 airports in five countries.
TBI was started in the early 1990s by Merthyr Tydfil entrepreneur Stanley Thomas who began his business career selling meat pies with his brother, Peter, in 1971.
TBI was started in the early 1990s by Merthyr Tydfil entrepreneur Stanley Thomas who began his business career selling meat pies with his brother, Peter, in 1971.
In 2004, TBI became Spanish owned in a £550m takeover deal reportedly landing the Thomas family with a £100m windfall.
In 2004, TBI became Spanish owned in a £550m takeover deal reportedly landing the Thomas family with a £100m windfall.
What do you think of the airport's new name? Does the brand matter? Is the simplified approach the best? We will publish a selection of your views.
What do you think of the airport's new name? Does the brand matter? Is the simplified approach the best? We will publish a selection of your views.
Not sure how it celebrates being Welsh when the Welsh 'Maes Awyr Caerdydd' is completely dwarfed by the English 'Cardiff Airport'. Dewi Wyn Morgan, London
Not sure how it celebrates being Welsh when the Welsh 'Maes Awyr Caerdydd' is completely dwarfed by the English 'Cardiff Airport'. Dewi Wyn Morgan, London
It's just a shame that they don't put so much effort into actually running the airport as a true International Airport and not the mickey mouse place it is now. It's necessary to go to Bristol or London to get the flights you need. Not everyone wants to go to Majorca!! The place needs a drastic rethink on its destinations.. or should I say, lack of them.Andy, Wales
It's just a shame that they don't put so much effort into actually running the airport as a true International Airport and not the mickey mouse place it is now. It's necessary to go to Bristol or London to get the flights you need. Not everyone wants to go to Majorca!! The place needs a drastic rethink on its destinations.. or should I say, lack of them.Andy, Wales
Every time I have used this airport there has been delays on flights.I was even told one flight had simply been cancelled. No explanation. When complaints were lodged we were informed to take this up with the travel companies. As an International airport the authorities should ensure that flights are on time. It saddens me to use bristol, but left with no option.Lindsay whittle, Caerffili
Every time I have used this airport there has been delays on flights.I was even told one flight had simply been cancelled. No explanation. When complaints were lodged we were informed to take this up with the travel companies. As an International airport the authorities should ensure that flights are on time. It saddens me to use bristol, but left with no option.Lindsay whittle, Caerffili
Correct, there is no confusion about Cardiff being an international airport ...it is not! A facelift which will allow greater retail space is missing the point. I think the Welsh customers want improved passenger services, effficient airport transit processes and a wider variety of destinations, particularly into the European hubs. Not an out of town retail experience. Jack MacLachlan, Llanblethian, Wales
Correct, there is no confusion about Cardiff being an international airport ...it is not! A facelift which will allow greater retail space is missing the point. I think the Welsh customers want improved passenger services, effficient airport transit processes and a wider variety of destinations, particularly into the European hubs. Not an out of town retail experience. Jack MacLachlan, Llanblethian, Wales
Echoing the comments about cancelled and delayed flights, the worst thing about Cardiff Airport (or whatever they're calling it this week!) is the total lack of customer service once you're through security - they can't even be bothered to provide a customer information point for anyone with a delayed flight to find out what's going on!Dave Harvey, Swansea
Echoing the comments about cancelled and delayed flights, the worst thing about Cardiff Airport (or whatever they're calling it this week!) is the total lack of customer service once you're through security - they can't even be bothered to provide a customer information point for anyone with a delayed flight to find out what's going on!Dave Harvey, Swansea
I disagree with Andy, Cardiff Airport is a Regional Airport and not a International Hub. With it's feed to Amsterdam you can get easily to any loccation on the planet and all without the stress and strain of traveling via one of the Major London Airports.
I disagree with Andy, Cardiff Airport is a Regional Airport and not a International Hub. With it's feed to Amsterdam you can get easily to any loccation on the planet and all without the stress and strain of traveling via one of the Major London Airports.
Mark, South Wales
Mark, South Wales
I live in Cardiff, but I travel to Bristol to fly anywhere. Changing the name will not alter the fact that Bristol is more efficient, bigger and most importantly offers more flights to more destinations.Dean, Cardiff
I live in Cardiff, but I travel to Bristol to fly anywhere. Changing the name will not alter the fact that Bristol is more efficient, bigger and most importantly offers more flights to more destinations.Dean, Cardiff
I notice they haven't said how much it cost them to remove 'international' from the name. I also wonder how many people said 'I am flying from Cardiff International Airport at 12pm' to their friends before the change too.Darren Vine, Warwick
I notice they haven't said how much it cost them to remove 'international' from the name. I also wonder how many people said 'I am flying from Cardiff International Airport at 12pm' to their friends before the change too.Darren Vine, Warwick
It's no good people complaining about the lack of destinations,this is down to the airlines personal development at the facility. The airport is now doing its bit to improve the look and facilities of the airport and then in turn attracting more routes, airlines and business. I just hope the airport sticks to its promises and all this goes ahead - it will be a truly useful development when it is complete.Peter, Swansea, UK
It's no good people complaining about the lack of destinations,this is down to the airlines personal development at the facility. The airport is now doing its bit to improve the look and facilities of the airport and then in turn attracting more routes, airlines and business. I just hope the airport sticks to its promises and all this goes ahead - it will be a truly useful development when it is complete.Peter, Swansea, UK
As a former airport employee I can say it needs a lot more than a new name and frontage - the biggest problem is access, which is either via a series of B roads and confusing signage, or by shuttle bus from the not-that-nearby station. As Andy has said, the place is a ghost town November - April as it's all Spain/Greece/etc seasonal stuff with a handful of business destinations. I don't think it's fair to blame the airport when an airline cancels its flights, however.SW, Caerphilly
As a former airport employee I can say it needs a lot more than a new name and frontage - the biggest problem is access, which is either via a series of B roads and confusing signage, or by shuttle bus from the not-that-nearby station. As Andy has said, the place is a ghost town November - April as it's all Spain/Greece/etc seasonal stuff with a handful of business destinations. I don't think it's fair to blame the airport when an airline cancels its flights, however.SW, Caerphilly
I noticed the new logo on the screens at the airport this morning on my weekly commute. This article explains what's going on. In reply to Dewi Wyn Morgan's comment, the logo I saw had a massive "Maes Awyr Caerdydd" and a tiny "Cardiff Airport" and I thought to myself that it would confuse visitors. Obviously they are using both interchangeably.
I noticed the new logo on the screens at the airport this morning on my weekly commute. This article explains what's going on. In reply to Dewi Wyn Morgan's comment, the logo I saw had a massive "Maes Awyr Caerdydd" and a tiny "Cardiff Airport" and I thought to myself that it would confuse visitors. Obviously they are using both interchangeably.
I find it a friendly airport and much better than Bristol (I've had no problem with delays unlike the English airport). Just wish they'd spend a bit of the cash on the public transport and roads needed to get to it, a lack of any links from the M4 or for people coming from the West is shocking. Having to use 1 lane tracks in the dark is not very pleasant.Gavin Jenkins, Neath (and Newcastle)
I find it a friendly airport and much better than Bristol (I've had no problem with delays unlike the English airport). Just wish they'd spend a bit of the cash on the public transport and roads needed to get to it, a lack of any links from the M4 or for people coming from the West is shocking. Having to use 1 lane tracks in the dark is not very pleasant.Gavin Jenkins, Neath (and Newcastle)
It is not really an international airport, but a joke. Not so long ago, it took me 24 hours to get door to door, flying to Hannover in Germany. I made the same journey by motor bike in under 12 hours including ferry crossing. And cheaper, too. Timm Frenzel, Risca Gwent Wales
Before Cardiff Airport can call itslef international it needs to improve the road links - a direct link fom the M4 is essential. Having said that I use Bristol because I find it a friendly airport and get flights at times that are convenient to me - but the road links there are also pretty awful.
