ONE of Wales’ leading providers of tyre services is set to open a new facility that will give new life to old tyres, with Welsh Government support.

Tuf Treads, in Carmarthenshire, will save old tyres from landfill by using them to produce premium re-treaded tyres using latest manufacturing technology. Re-treading gives suitable tyres a new start once the original tread is worn away.

Based at Cross Hands Strategic Employment Site, the new factory will see 30 new jobs created.

It is backed by £400k from the Economy Futures Fund and £220k Circular Economy Funding from the Welsh Government.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:

“This new facility will fill a gap in the market for the successful Tuf Treads – saving up to 30kg of rubber, 20kg of steel and 60kg of CO2 from landfill each time a truck or bus tyre is re-treaded.

“The innovative and sustainable nature of this service is exactly the sort of business practice we want to support as we nurture a greener economy based around the industries of the future.

“It will also create good quality jobs, helping to drive prosperity and equip people with the right skills for our changing world.”

Tuf Treads Director Dan Rees said:

“As a proud Welsh company, Tuf Treads is delighted to have been able to grow its business over recent years. We are grateful for Welsh Government’s contribution to our £3m plus investment in our new factory in Cross Hands.

“We will be the leading manufacturers of first-class, retreaded tyres in Wales. However, for us, this isn’t just about developing the business. Importantly it is also about creating new, skilled jobs within the local community and helping to grow the Welsh economy.

“Equally significant is the way in which our new initiative helps Wales fulfil its net zero commitments by producing high quality tyres from recycled, used tyres that otherwise would be in landfill.

“As a local Pontyberem man, I’m committed to doing all I can to help our communities here and across Wales flourish and thrive.”

Wales might not be the first country you think of when it comes to private aviation, but you’ll be surprised to find that it does play a nuanced role in the nation, especially in Pembrokeshire. While Wales isn’t home to many private airports or billionaire jet-setters, private flights play a vital role in the Welsh aviation economy. This article explores the state of private aviation in Wales, its implications for Pembrokeshire residents, and how it compares to the broader UK private aviation sector.

At a glance 

Wales’ primary airport is Cardiff Airport (CWL), located in the Vale of Glamorgan. Historically, Cardiff Airport has seen fluctuating passenger numbers, with a peak of approximately 2.1 million passengers in 2007. However, by 2019, this number had declined to around 1.65 million. The COVID-19 pandemic further impacted these figures, with passenger numbers dropping to approximately 219,984 in 2020 and 123,825 in 2021. There was a partial recovery in 2022, with passenger numbers reaching 859,805.

Cardiff Airport primarily serves commercial flights but also accommodates private aviation needs. However, the lack of dedicated private jet facilities means that amenities such as luxury lounges, concierge services, and dedicated terminals are limited compared to other regions. This has implications for Welsh residents, particularly those in Pembrokeshire, who rely on private aviation for business and leisure. For long-haul flights, some Welsh residents prefer to fly first-class to Heathrow before switching to a private jet charter. 

Welsh private aviation infrastructure 

Wales lacks dedicated private jet airports that cater exclusively to private aviation. Private flights typically utilise facilities at Cardiff Airport, which has its fixed-base operator, Signature Aviation. Passengers can enjoy a private check-in, exclusive lounges, and complimentary refreshments. 

Unfortunately, experienced private travellers who are used to flying from Farnborough or London City Airport may find services here to be lacking compared to private airports. As a result, private aviation in Wales remains underdeveloped, limiting its appeal to high-net-worth individuals and corporate travellers.  

Air travel in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire does not have a commercial airport, so residents must rely on car transfers to access larger airports like Cardiff Airport or airports in England for commercial and private flights. The region is served by Haverfordwest Airport (Withybush Airport), a small airfield primarily used for general aviation and flight training.

Haverfordwest Airport is a valuable resource for local aviation enthusiasts, but it hardly suits the needs of most Pembrokeshire residents as it lacks the infrastructure to support larger private jets. For Pembrokeshire residents, private aviation often involves travelling to Cardiff or across the border to England, adding time and complexity to their travel plans.

Wales vs the rest of the UK

Wales lags behind England in the private aviation sector. In 2024, 12,702 private jet flights were made in the UK, most of which departed from English airfields. This is not necessarily due to a lack of demand in Wales; England has an established private aviation infrastructure, so even Welsh private travellers will drive to destinations like Bristol or Birmingham for their charter flight. 

For example, London Luton Airport and Farnborough Airport are major international hubs for private aviation, offering state-of-the-art facilities and services tailored to high-net-worth individuals. In contrast, Wales’ limited infrastructure means it has not experienced similar growth. This disparity highlights the need for investment in private aviation hubs for Wales to serve its residents better and attract high-value travellers.

What does this all mean for Pembrokeshire residents?

For Pembrokeshire residents, the limited access to commercial and private aviation necessitates reliance on ground transfers to access larger airports. This reliance can add time and complexity to travel plans, making private aviation less convenient compared to regions with dedicated facilities.

For example, a Pembrokeshire resident looking to fly privately to London or Europe would need to travel to Cardiff Airport or an English airport like Bristol or Exeter. This additional travel time can offset the convenience of private aviation, particularly for short-haul flights. However, the benefits of private travel outweigh those of commercial flight when travelling long-haul, even if it means a couple of hours’ drive beforehand. 

A sleeping giant of private aviation

It’s clear to see that private aviation in Wales is slightly choked by the sheer availability and height of resources in the nation next door. While the UK has seen growth in private aviation, a very small portion of that is taking place in Welsh airfields due to the lack of infrastructure. Addressing these infrastructure gaps could enhance accessibility and convenience for Welsh travellers opting for private charters, but such developments would need to balance economic benefits with environmental considerations.

For now, Pembrokeshire residents must navigate the limited local aviation infrastructure, relying on nearby airports and car transfers to access private jet facilities. However, with strategic investments and a focus on sustainability, Wales has the potential to develop a thriving private aviation sector that meets the needs of its residents and attracts high-value visitors from around the world.

ONE of the UK’s longest standing initiatives connecting businesses and organisations with academia is celebrating 50 years of delivering value to the Welsh economy.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme drives growth and innovation by solving real world ‘business’ challenges in partnership with academics across Wales and the UK. The resulting partnerships are focused on creating solutions that deliver innovation, economic growth and social or environmental benefits, leading to changes that improve people’s lives.

Over the last few years alone, Welsh KTP projects have resulted in 78 new jobs, and a £6.5m investment in innovation – including £1.8m in funding from the Welsh Government, which delivers the scheme in partnership with Innovate UK.

For each pound of public investment this is estimated to have generated a return of up to £5.50 in net economic benefits for the Welsh economy.

Across the UK up to an estimated £2.3bn was added to the economy between 2010 and 2020 thanks to collaborative innovation via KTPs.

The scheme also helps businesses bring in new skills via a talented graduate that is employed to work on the project.

Non-profit Cerebra collaborated with Cardiff University for a recent KTP. The Carmarthen-based charity helps improves the lives of children with brain disorders by supporting their families with their long-term health, education, and social needs.

The KTP developed an AI-driven approach to increase the effectiveness of Cerebra’s marketing campaigns, and secure more donations for the charity.

Associate Professor in Marketing Analytics at Cardiff Business School, Dr Simon Jang said:

“Our KTP with Cerebra shows how Cardiff University collaborates with organisations to deliver real-world impact. By combining our expertise in marketing, data analytics, and AI, we developed data-driven strategies that strengthened Cerebra’s donor engagement and long-term sustainability – demonstrating how KTPs drive both organisational growth and wider social value.”

Business Partner Supervisor for Cerebra, Ricky Howells said:

“This KTP has underpinned the necessity of looking to apply data driven decisions in all aspects of fundraising.

“As a result we will be able to reach and support more families in the future, making a meaningful difference to the lives of children living with a brain condition.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said:

“KTPs are an important part of the Welsh innovation ecosystem, driving forward better outcomes for our businesses, our academic institutions, our residents and our environment.

“For fifty years this pioneering programme has enabled businesses and organisations like Cerebra tap into the expertise of some of the best research that the UK has to offer. It has also accelerated progression for graduates, creating high value, well paid jobs throughout Wales.”

Richard Lamb, KTP Programme Manager at Innovate UK, said:

“Innovate UK is proud to work with Welsh Government on the KTP programme as one of its lead supporters. Welsh Government funding not only supports individual projects but supports Welsh universities and colleges to work with local businesses and organisations.”