UK aviation: South Wales to have scheduled services again at its second airport, Swansea

When Swansea Airport, in South Wales, last hosted scheduled services many airports in the UK were operated by surface transport operators (e.g. buses) or real estate companies. Indeed, nearby Cardiff, the Welsh capital, was home to the realtor TBI, a then-major operator which was later absorbed by Spain’s Abertis.

Even Cardiff Airport has had its problems at times, and Swansea’s route network was always limited – it closed to commercial flights in 2004. But unlike other UK airports that have succumbed to economic reality (Ipswich, Plymouth, Manston, Sheffield City and recently Doncaster-Sheffield, for example), Swansea looks set to host scheduled service again from Mar-2023.

It is starting small, with just one route, and will assuredly remain small. There is local opposition even to this tiny increase in activity, the infrastructure is basic, and the management could change in the future.

But just getting going again (as with Manston) is a feather in its cap.