Cardiff Airport has appointed former brewery boss Jon Bridge as its new Chief Executive, effective from 3 November.
Bridge, who previously led Welsh brewer and pub company SA Brain & Co, will take over at a time of turbulence for Wales’ national airport. While he has extensive leadership experience in retail and hospitality, he has little direct background in aviation — a point likely to be tested as he faces the challenges of rebuilding passenger numbers and restoring lost routes.
The airport, owned by the Welsh Government since 2013, has struggled to bounce back from the pandemic. Passenger numbers remain well below pre‑Covid levels, with around 875,000 travellers in 2024 compared to 1.6 million in 2019. Losses of £4.5m were recorded in the year to March 2023, despite a £5.3m government grant.
The Welsh Government has committed up to £205m in subsidies over the next decade to support the airport’s long‑term strategy. That package is now subject to a legal challenge from Bristol Airport, which argues the funding distorts competition. Opposition politicians have also criticised the scale of taxpayer support, with calls for greater transparency and even privatisation.
Operationally, the airport faces further setbacks. Loganair has announced it will axe its Cardiff–Edinburgh service from January 2026, leaving Wales without a direct air link to Scotland’s capital outside of short‑term Six Nations rugby flights. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has yet to reinstate its pre‑Covid Doha service, making Cardiff the only UK airport the Gulf carrier has not returned to since the pandemic. That route once provided Wales with a rare direct long‑haul connection to Asia and Australia.
Today, Cardiff has no direct long‑haul flights. Passengers heading further afield must rely on KLM’s Amsterdam hub, which itself has been cut back from three daily services to two.
In a statement, Bridge said:
“I’m honoured to be joining Cardiff Airport at such a pivotal time. The National Airport of Wales is a vital asset for our country, providing economic benefits, jobs and ensuring global connectivity. I’ll be working hard with our team and partners to diversify the business, drive growth and ensure we continue to provide an excellent experience for our customers.”
He replaces Andy Jones, who has been interim CEO since March and will return to his role as a non‑executive director.
