26/04/2013

£500k Revamp For Cardiff Airport

Cardiff Airport is to be refurbished to help improve the first impression passengers receive of Wales.

The Welsh Government-funded scheme, believed to be around £500k, will see a revamp of the inward-bound walkways and public areas of the airport. The work will include art and multimedia installations, which aim to promote Welsh culture, heritage and business. The content of the installations will vary and be refreshed regularly over the course of the three-year project.

The project is the first investment since the government purchased the airport for £52m last month, and is part of the wider activity recommended by the Cardiff Airport Taskforce to look at ways of making the airport more competitive.

In recent years, the airport has faced falling passenger numbers along with more competition from the neighbouring Bristol Airport. It also suffered after bmibaby withdrew its flights in 2011.

Minister for Economy, Edwina Hart, said: "First impressions are important. Cardiff Airport is a major gateway into Wales for air passengers and this new project will showcase a uniquely Welsh approach to business, culture, the arts, tourism and events.

"Although this project will form just a small part of our wider work to improve facilities and services at Cardiff Airport, it should make a big impact with our visitors as they arrive in Wales."

However, the Welsh government's priority remains attracting new routes to Cardiff Airport.

(JP/MH)

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