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| Cardiff Airport passengers up 9% since Welsh government takeover | Cardiff Airport passengers up 9% since Welsh government takeover |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Cardiff Airport has seen a 9% increase in the number of its passengers since it was taken over by the Welsh government last year, it has been revealed. | Cardiff Airport has seen a 9% increase in the number of its passengers since it was taken over by the Welsh government last year, it has been revealed. |
| Ministers bought the facility in March 2013 for £52m amid concerns about investment by its then Spanish owners. | Ministers bought the facility in March 2013 for £52m amid concerns about investment by its then Spanish owners. |
| Since May 2013, the business has seen 10 months of continuous growth. | Since May 2013, the business has seen 10 months of continuous growth. |
| First Minister Carwyn Jones said it proved "naysayers" wrong and showed the airport is in "the right hands". | First Minister Carwyn Jones said it proved "naysayers" wrong and showed the airport is in "the right hands". |
| By the end of March, managers hope to break the one million passenger mark for the financial year. | By the end of March, managers hope to break the one million passenger mark for the financial year. |
| In total, passenger numbers between May to February represents an increase of 10.6% on the same period the previous year. | In total, passenger numbers between May to February represents an increase of 10.6% on the same period the previous year. |
| The positive passenger figures come as the airport undergoes refurbishment of its terminal building, including changes to the to the check-in hall and security area. | The positive passenger figures come as the airport undergoes refurbishment of its terminal building, including changes to the to the check-in hall and security area. |
| The Welsh government has given the airport a £10m loan repayable over a 12 year period for renovations. | The Welsh government has given the airport a £10m loan repayable over a 12 year period for renovations. |
| Speaking at his monthly news conference, Carwyn Jones said: "It shows for all the naysayers who thought that somehow the airport was bound to decline... well now we see the passenger figures". | Speaking at his monthly news conference, Carwyn Jones said: "It shows for all the naysayers who thought that somehow the airport was bound to decline... well now we see the passenger figures". |
| He said it "confirms that the airport does have a future in the right hands". | He said it "confirms that the airport does have a future in the right hands". |
| New routes and carriers have been added recently including Cityjet flying to Glasgow and Paris. | New routes and carriers have been added recently including Cityjet flying to Glasgow and Paris. |
| CityJet is also starting routes to Edinburgh and Jersey this month and said it may look to expand services in future. | CityJet is also starting routes to Edinburgh and Jersey this month and said it may look to expand services in future. |
| The airline, a partner of Air France and KLM, started to fly from Cardiff in January after Flybe dropped its routes. | The airline, a partner of Air France and KLM, started to fly from Cardiff in January after Flybe dropped its routes. |
| During the 12 months to March 2013, 997,000 passengers used the airport. For the year to the end of this month, the airport is expecting to handle 1,080,000 passengers. | During the 12 months to March 2013, 997,000 passengers used the airport. For the year to the end of this month, the airport is expecting to handle 1,080,000 passengers. |
| Jon Horne, Cardiff Airport's chief executive, said: "It is a solid start to the work that needs to be done to deliver continued growth over the coming years. | |
| "The past year has seen lots of change for the better, resulting in an upturn in passenger numbers that began within just six weeks of acquisition by the Welsh government. | "The past year has seen lots of change for the better, resulting in an upturn in passenger numbers that began within just six weeks of acquisition by the Welsh government. |
| "More capacity and new services have contributed to the 10 months' consecutive growth the airport has reported. | "More capacity and new services have contributed to the 10 months' consecutive growth the airport has reported. |
| "There's much more to be done, but I'm confident we're on the right track with a strong team in place, committed to delivering on our growth strategy." | "There's much more to be done, but I'm confident we're on the right track with a strong team in place, committed to delivering on our growth strategy." |