Cardiff Airport can be re-energised: former CEO

Cardiff Airport's former CEO Keith Brooks stated that the airport could be "re-energised" under new ownership, following LCC bmibaby's announcement is plans to drop all Cardiff services after the upcoming summer period (Wales Online, 17-Apr-2011). Abertis currently owns Cardiff Airport, which acquired former Cardiff Airport owner TBI in 2005 for GBP900 million. "The reality is that Abertis has not had any real empathy with Cardiff or Wales and are far more interested in Luton Airport, which is seen as the jewel in the crown," Mr Brooks said. He believes that that with pressure from the Assembly Government, Abertis could look to sell its UK airport assets. The former CEO believes Cardiff still had significant growth potential, in light of strong reported growth at the nearby Bristol International Airport. "If I was running Cardiff I would go to Dublin and look to strike a deal with Michael O'Leary at Ryanair. Even if we didn't make any money, it would act at a catalyst," Mr Brooks said.