Cardiff Airport has appointed aviation cargo specialist Chris Bosworth as a Non-Executive Director, as the Welsh Government-owned airport pushes to develop its air freight operations.
Bosworth brings more than three decades of aviation experience to the role, including senior positions at British Airways World Cargo, where he led commercial development across global freight markets, and as Managing Director of Airport Coordination Limited (ACL). He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
The airport said the appointment was part of a broader ambition to establish Cardiff as a key regional cargo hub, citing its existing infrastructure, geographic access and available capacity as foundations for growth.
Bosworth said: “The airport has strong foundations and clear potential to grow its cargo offering significantly. I look forward to working with the board and executive team to help realise this opportunity and deliver long-term value for the region.”
CEO Jon Bridge, who took over the airport’s commercial development strategy last year, said Bosworth’s expertise would be “invaluable” as the airport sought to develop new freight partnerships and routes. “His extensive cargo expertise and industry insight will be invaluable as we enhance our capabilities and develop Cardiff Airport’s position within the air freight market,” he said.
The appointment comes as Cardiff Airport enters a more settled period following a significant legal victory. The Welsh Government’s £205m subsidy for the airport — which includes funding for new cargo capacity, hangars and route development — was upheld by the Competition Appeal Tribunal on April 7 after Bristol Airport’s legal challenge was unanimously dismissed. Bristol had argued the subsidy was unlawful and distorted competition, but the tribunal rejected every element of the claim. Bristol Airport said it was “disappointed” and would consider its next steps.
On the passenger side, WestJet is due to launch a direct Cardiff-Toronto service on May 23 — the first transatlantic route from the airport in several years and one of a number of new services being pursued under Bridge’s leadership.
Passenger numbers have also been recovering from the impact of Covid-19, with the airport having celebrated summer growth last year while acknowledging recovery remained only halfway back to pre-pandemic levels.
Swansea Bay News has followed Cardiff Airport’s development closely.
