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Cardiff Airport: Sharp drop in passenger numbers Cardiff Airport: Sharp drop in passenger numbers
(about 2 hours later)
Cardiff Airport has seen a sharp drop in passenger numbers over the last year, provisional figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show.Cardiff Airport has seen a sharp drop in passenger numbers over the last year, provisional figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show.
Just over a million passengers flew through the airport in 2012 - a drop of 16.1% or around 200,000 travellers.Just over a million passengers flew through the airport in 2012 - a drop of 16.1% or around 200,000 travellers.
The airport at Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, was hit by the withdrawal of flights by budget airline BMIbaby in 2011.The airport at Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, was hit by the withdrawal of flights by budget airline BMIbaby in 2011.
The Welsh government is currently negotiating to buy the airport.The Welsh government is currently negotiating to buy the airport.
Sources suggest it could cost "tens of millions" of pounds to buy the airport from its current owner, TBI, to secure its future. It stepped in after a slump in passengers in recent years from a peak of two million in 2007.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said it would be run by an independent operator on the government's behalf, it would not receive subsidies and it would make a "return to the Welsh taxpayer" as well as the private operator. In contrast, it is estimated that 700,000 passengers from Wales were among the 5.7m flying from Bristol Airport - 24 miles (38km) from the Welsh border - in 2011.
Sources suggest it could cost the Welsh government "tens of millions" of pounds to buy Cardiff Airport from its current owner, TBI, to secure its future.
But First Minister Carwyn Jones insists it would be run by an independent operator on the government's behalf.
He also says it would not receive subsidies and it would make a "return to the Welsh taxpayer" as well as the private operator.
Despite the drop in overall passengers last year, the CAA figures show there was a small rally in December when passenger numbers increased by 1.6% compared to the same period the year before.Despite the drop in overall passengers last year, the CAA figures show there was a small rally in December when passenger numbers increased by 1.6% compared to the same period the year before.
Cardiff Airport has been asked to comment.Cardiff Airport has been asked to comment.