Qatar Airways’ return to Cardiff Airport should be “upmost priority” say Welsh Tories

As well as resuming flights to Birmingham, Qatar also plan to increase their flight frequency at Edinburgh from 10 weekly flights to 14, at Gatwick from 7 weekly flights to 10 – increasing to 14 during the peak Summer season, and from Heathrow from 42 to 45 weekly flights.

Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minster Minister, Natasha Asghar MS said: “The choice not to resume operations at the same as Birmingham Airport is disappointing and very concerning, but the Qatar Airways Chief Executive’s comments mean we have hope for the future.

“Getting Qatar Airways returning to Cardiff Airport has to be the upmost priority for Labour’s Transport Minister with the airline attracting passengers and hopefully more carriers to the airport, securing its future.

“Flights from Cardiff on Qatar Airways saw a quarter of passengers travelling for business purposes which is essential for bringing economic prosperity and growth into Wales – these are priorities the Welsh Government cannot miss.”

There is some confusion as to when flights might resume with the Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, telling the trade press publication Business Travel that its Cardiff route could return this year however, Cardiff Airport is aware that it could be 2024.