Wizz Air is establishing a new base at Cardiff Airport with an initial nine routes, but with hopes that the low cost-carrier will add far more in the years ahead.
The airline will allocate a Airbus A321 aircraft to the Welsh Government-owned airport with destinations including Alicante, Faro, Larnaca and Tenerife, as well as seasonal routes during the summer to Corfu, Heraklion and Palma de Mallorca. There will also be routes to Lanzarote and Sharm El Sheikh during the winter season.
Wizz Air said its first base in Wales will create 40 direct jobs and over 250 indirect jobs.
The new routes, which will have capacity for 350,000 passengers a year. Wizz Air will begin a phased commencement from next March.
The investment is a major boost for the airport and secures the first low-cost carrier since the demise of Bmibaby. Wizz Air has been attracted on commercial terms with no financial backing from the Welsh Government.
While the airline is starting with nine route, there is potential for significant capacity and new route expansion from the Rhoose-based airport.
It will also allow Cardiff to fight back against the loss of passengers in its core catchment area of South Wales to Bristol Airport, due to its low-cost carrier offers in EasyJet and Ryanair. Pre-pandemic more than 1.5 million passengers at Bristol originated from South Wales.
The announcement follows a period of recent expansion for the airline, with Wizz Air 海角视频 opening new bases at Gatwick and Doncaster Sheffield Airport in October and adding an eleventh aircraft to its London Luton operation in July.
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It currently operates 132 routes out of 11 airports in the 海角视频. Wizz, which is close to entering London's FTSE 100 of the biggest firms on market capitalisation, currently operates 14 planes in the 海角视频, which it plans to increase to 50.
If Cardiff Airport's initial routes prove profitable the expectation is that Wizz will increase it presence at Cardiff Airport. Where travel restrictions have been lifted, Cardiff Airport has already benefited from converting pent up demand. The rollout of Covid vaccines will further increase the demand for leisure travel.
Welshman Owain Jones, managing director of Wizz Air 海角视频, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for Wizz Air as we increase our footprint in the 海角视频 even further. The creation of our fourth 海角视频 base at Cardiff Airport reflects Wizz Air’s continued commitment to serving the 海角视频 market and generating economic growth, as we create local jobs, stimulate the tourism and hospitality industries and deliver on our promise of providing affordable, direct flights to exciting holiday destinations.
Spencer Birns, interim chief executive of Cardiff Airport, said: “On behalf of the team we are delighted to welcome Wizz Air 海角视频 to Wales. The fact that one of the leading Low cost airlines in the world has chosen to set up their next base at Cardiff is fantastic news for Wales.
"The Wizz Air 海角视频 base will bring a huge amount of choice for our customers to travel to some of the most popular holiday destinations from Cardiff, at affordable prices. We know many people living in Wales are craving a well-deserved holiday after such a challenging year and these new flights going on sale today from Cardiff, will give so many more opportunities for holidays to be planned now that will give us all something to look forward to for next year.
"We look forward to working closely with Wizz Air 海角视频 ahead of the launch of their Cardiff base in time for operations starting next spring and building on this exciting opportunity for Wales.”
Mr Birns said Wizz will also allow Cardiff Airport to reduce the number of passengers (pre-pandemic) in South Wales being attracted to low-cost services at Bristol Airport.
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"This is the first low-cost carrier since the demise of BmiBaby. From a passenger perspective it gives the opportunity for those in South Wales not to go to Bristol. Wizz Air can become the new low-cost carrier king of Wales.
"They see the 海角视频 leisure market as being very strong. Where travel restrictions have been lifted we have already seen huge demand from people wanting to travel. These new routes will help meet that pent up demand.
"Wizz are starting with nine routes, but if they can provide they work to shareholders and make money, then there is significant potential for Wizz to expand further."
Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: “This is welcome news and a positive step that will help Cardiff Airport emerge from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The new Wizz services will increase choice for passengers, create jobs and add to the airport’s economic benefits. I look forward to the nine new routes being made available in the coming months.”
As with all 海角视频 airports, the pandemic has significantly reduced airline activity and passenger numbers at Cardiff Airport.
For 2020 the airport is anticipating around a 86% reduction in passenger numbers on 2019, to around 220,000.
However, with airlines returning next year, Qatar Airways for example will recommence its scheduled daily service to Doha in March, and the launch of Wizz, the airport is looking forward to a significant rebound in 2021.
Wizz Air is based out of Budapest and Geneva.