More than one million passengers have flown through Cardiff Airport in the past year, as Wales’ national airport posts its strongest growth in years.
The milestone has been matched by official figures naming Cardiff the second fastest-growing airport in the UK.
New data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows passenger numbers at Cardiff jumped by 24% in the first three months of 2026, compared with the same period last year.
Across the full financial year, the airport says passenger numbers were up 14% on 2024/25.
Much of the buzz has been driven by Cardiff’s new transatlantic link, with Canadian airline WestJet now flying direct to Toronto four times a week.
It is the first direct route between Wales and Canada in nearly two decades, opening up onward connections across Canada and the United States.
Closer to home, holidaymakers have a growing list of new places to fly to.
Fresh destinations added over the past year include Faro in Portugal, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Hurghada in Egypt, Turin in Italy, Salzburg in Austria and Kittilä in Finland.
Holiday giant TUI is also backing the airport, basing a fourth aircraft at Cardiff this summer to add more flights and seats.
The airport’s bread-and-butter routes remain busy too, with twice-daily flights to Amsterdam, daily services to Dublin, and what bosses say has been Ryanair’s busiest ever summer at Cardiff.
Rugby has played its part in the numbers, with more than 19,000 international fans flying in during the Six Nations and the two big European club finals.
Despite the upbeat figures, the airport’s recovery is still a work in progress. As we reported last year, passenger numbers remain well below their pre-pandemic peak, when the airport handled well over 1.6 million travellers a year.
The Welsh Government-owned airport has also been the subject of long-running rows over public funding, including a legal challenge from Bristol Airport over a multi-million-pound support package.
The airport says it supports thousands of jobs across south Wales and contributes more than £200 million a year to the Welsh economy.
Jon Bridge, chief executive of Cardiff Airport, said passing one million passengers was a major milestone and a sign of growing demand for flights from Wales.
He said being named the UK’s second fastest-growing airport reflected the work of staff and partners, and the confidence passengers and airlines were placing in Cardiff.
He said the airport was now focused on expanding its network and delivering long-term benefits for Wales.
Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend Andrew RT Davies has expressed concern at Welsh Government owned Cardiff Airport’s failure to secure the return of Qatar Airways.
Mr Davies said: ““It’s promising and encouraging to see Cardiff Airport attracted over a million passengers last year.
“But it’s concerning that the Airport hasn’t listed the return of Qatar Airways as part of its next steps.
“Qatar have resumed flights at every other British Airport other than Welsh Government owned Cardiff – if it’s to become profitable it needs to attract carriers of this profile.”
The airport said that looking ahead, Crystal Ski has added winter flights to Turin, while TUI is putting on extra holidays and seats to destinations including Antalya, Gran Canaria, Palma, Tenerife and Enfidha in Tunisia.
Cardiff Airport also said that growing its cargo operation is a priority, with hopes of attracting new freight business to the site.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Remember all the criticism about the airport
This is shameful propoganda.
For more than 10 years, a Labour G’ment invested £1m of taxpayers money per week into CWA. I and others drive passed the airport & rarely are there more than ONE aircraft at the airport.
I recently googled how may commercial flights have left CWA this year up to the end of May. It provided NO information. Also the editor of this article have not provided a name
I flew from Cardiff to Belfast on 23rd May and it was the first time for me to fly from Cardiff.It was as easy as catching a bus snd The 20 minute free drop off was a bonus. I will certainly look to fly again from Cardiff Wales airport
I flew in and out of Bristol Airport recently 6am and 3pm,I couldn’t believe how busy it was at both times,and so much work going on there and new roads being built out in all directions,there’s so much going that they are struggling to cope with all the footfall,Wales Airport get your act together as I see a great chance to capitalise on their problems,when we 1st used Bristol Airport around 35/40 years ago it was nothing but a small airport,just look at it now.
Cardiff Airport is crazy
It’s flying farther distances, but it’s difficult getting shorter flights yo Spain Portugal Greece and Turkiye
It’s a nightmare going to Brustol when we have Cardiff so near
The costs are more from Cardiff than Bristol too WHY ???