Anglesey Airport

History

Plans put forward in early 2006 by the National Assembly for Wales have led to a subsidised weekday air service between the airport and Cardiff Airport, 12 miles west of the Welsh capital in the hope of improving the economy of Anglesey and North Wales in general. The twice daily service began in May 2007.

For residents of Anglesey, the air service is significantly quicker than surface transport. Gate-to-gate travel time to Cardiff is around 1 hour. However passenger usage is very low. Holyhead railway station had 237,000 passengers in 2012-2013, and even the small station near the airport Valley railway station with 17,968 annual passengers far surpassed the usage of the airport.

The passenger terminal is a single storey building consisting of a check-in desk, departure lounge and baggage handling areas as well as other visitor information areas. The terminal, completed in 2007, was designed by MAP architects and cost £1,000,000. The publicly funded building contract was given to the construction company Yorkon. The building was built off site and brought to the airport when finished.

The airport's principal stakeholders are RAF Valley, The Welsh Assembly, the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Cardiff Airport.

Airline and destinations

On 21 October 2015 the CAA suspended Links Air's operating certificate over safety concerns, stating that, "Safety is always our first priority and we will always take action when necessary to protect the travelling public." Links Air Cardiff-Anglesey service continues using aircraft operated by North Flying, Van Air Europe and DragonFly Executive Air Charter. Citywing has once again taken over operation of the route, utilising Van Air Europe aircraft.

Passenger statistics for flights to Cardiff

^{Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority 2008 2009 2010 201120122013 2014}