South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has slammed Senedd ministers’ inaction on bringing more flights to Cardiff Airport.
Senedd ministers have pumped almost £400 million of taxpayers’ cash into the Airport since they bought it in 2013.
In written questions to Transport Minister Ken Skates and Economy Minister Rebecca Evans, Mr Davies asked how many times they’d met with Qatar Airways since August 2024.
Both confirmed they had no meetings.
Qatar Airways paused flights from Cardiff at the start of the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020.
Cardiff is now the only UK hub when the airline has not resumed flights.
Mr Davies said:
“Senedd ministers have ploughed almost £400 million into Cardiff Airport since they bought it – yet they haven’t even bothered to meet with a major airline to reestablish a crucial link.
“When ministers wasted energy on projects like Plaid Cymru separatist and Labour plans to put 36 more politicians in the Senedd, or to make Wales a Nation of Sanctuary for asylum seekers, they ignored important responsibilities.
“Just last week, the Transport Minister boasted how he’d introduced mandatory anti-racism training for TfW staff.
“The time spent on this would’ve been better spent getting more flights from the airport.
“Senedd ministers must get a grip and prioritise what matters.”
ENDS
NOTES:
Please find below answers to written questions by Senedd ministers Ken Skates and Rebecca Evans
WRITTEN QUESTION FOR ANSWER BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ECONOMY, ENERGY AND PLANNING ON 22 JANUARY 2026
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central) – How many times has CSEEP met with officials or executives from Qatar Airways since August 2024? WQ98011 (e)
Rebecca Evans: I have not met with officials or executives from Qatar Airways since August 2024.
It is for the Airport executive team to lead on commercial negotiations with the airlines. We would very much welcome the resumption of the route when the time is right for both the Airport and the operator.
WRITTEN QUESTION FOR ANSWER BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND NORTH WALES ON 22 JANUARY 2026
Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central) – How many times has CSNWT met with officials or executives from Qatar Airways since August 2024? WQ98012 (e)
Ken Skates: The Airport executive team is leading on the commercial negotiations with the airline regarding the resumption of the Qatar Airways’ Cardiff – Doha service. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further while those negotiations are still underway, other than to say that that I would very much welcome the resumption of the route when the time is right for both the Airport and the operator.
Responsibility for the airport sits outside my portfolio and so I have not personally met with officials or executives from Qatar Airways since August 2024.
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