Business
The past, present and future possibilities for Swansea Airport
SWANSEA Airport is turning a page shortly after a bumpy period which looked like it was heading to the courtroom.
Swansea Council, which owns but doesn’t run the airport, was taking steps to end the lease held by the current operator – citing a “range of issues” – when it announced at the beginning of August that the operator had agreed to relinquish it. A group representing users of the 450-acre Gower site is to take it over on a temporary basis.
Although court action was avoided there has been frustration on many sides – and in some cases still is – and a question mark lingers over the future of staff who work there currently.
Equally several people who have spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service have expressed their wish to look ahead and maximise what the Fairwood Common facility has to offer.
There aren’t many airports where pilots can soar above an area of outstanding natural beauty in largely unrestricted airspace surrounded on three sides by a coastline like Gower’s. The majority of aircraft which took part in last month’s Wales National Airshow refuelled there, and on the morning of August 23 six tradesmen were ordering breakfast at the reopened airport cafe.
Thousands of people will have fond memories of flights over the Bristol Channel or learning to fly in gliders as air cadets. Gower councillor Richard Lewis recalled arranging a half-term flight many years ago to Swansea from Taunton, Somerset, where he was at school at the time.
“There was a rail strike, so I organised the flight,” he said. “There was me and eight of my friends from the Swansea area. It was fantastic.” In later years he and a fellow councillor flew from the airport in a Lancaster bomber, and while serving as Lord Mayor of Swansea he and his daughter Francesca were taken up in a pair of gliders. “Fabulous,” he said.
There have been attempts over the years to run commercial passenger services from Swansea Airport – most latterly by Air Wales which flew to London City, Dublin, Jersey and Amsterdam – but demand wasn’t strong enough. The current operator, Swansea Airport Ltd, whose director Roy Thomas owned and subsidised Air Wales, announced plans in January last year to start a passenger service to Exeter but they didn’t come to fruition.
Swansea Council said is predecessor council was gifted the airport site and its land in 1938 and that the airfield was run by the authority until around 35 years ago except during the Second World War. The council said it didn’t have the in-house expertise to run such a facility. “Running an airport is a specialised activity, one that’s not within the core business of a council,” said a spokesman.
According to heritage website Coflein, the airfield was used by the RAF for Hurricane, Beaufighter and Spitfire squadrons from June 1941 onwards, ceasing in this capacity three years later when it become a training base solely. The airfield was targeted by enemy bombers, said the website, with one unexploded 1,000lb device apparently remaining in-situ until 1976 when it was extracted and taken to Whiteford Point, North Gower, for detonation.
After being decommissioned by the RAF the airfield went on to be used by private pilots, flying clubs and occasional fare-paying passenger services run by Cambrian Airways and, for a three-year period up to 2004, Air Wales. Wales Air Ambulance and RAF 636 air cadets glider squadron also had bases there.
The airport and its two runways are home now to two flying schools, a skydiving business and around 20 pilots, plus visitors flying in from elsewhere.
The soon-to-be-installed operator, Swansea Airport Stakeholders’ Alliance, said it wanted to support current users and safely operate the airport seven days a week, talk to potential investors, and offer opportunities to the community. An alliance spokesman said such opportunities could include buildings being available for community use, work experience for people with physical or learning disabilities, an expanded catering offer, and potentially a creche serving Gower.
He said there was no plan for commercial flights, partly because the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licence permitting these was suspended and did not transfer with the lease. The current aviation activities can take place without a CAA licence but the alliance stressed it would abide by CAA regulations.
Alliance members have visited small airports which have grown their business such as Sandown, Isle of Wight, and Sleap airfield, Shropshire. “Sandown had around the same number of movements 10 years ago when the current operator took over as we do now at Swansea – it now has almost 12 times as many,” said the alliance spokesman. “There are facilities for the local community. The place is buzzing.”
He added: “Sleap is an enormous success after being rescued. A hundred or more small aircraft go there for an event with folk bands and a barbecue. People are saying to me, ‘Why can’t we do that?’ Well, we can. We have to provide people with a reason for coming.”
The alliance has previously submitted a business plan to the council, and said it would work with the authority’s events team with a view to hosting events. But the spokesman said there would be no change of use of the land – for example house-building on part of it. “It’s legally, politically and practically impossible,” he said.
Asked about the staff currently working there, the spokesman said he sympathised with them but that he couldn’t say for sure what would happen until the alliance took over. He said there would have to be certain key roles filled such as airport manager and head of safety. He added: “We are also in the process of drawing up a revised scale of charges, but we’re not planning substantial rises.”
Phil Thomas, the airport’s current manager, said he was brought in by leaseholder Roy Thomas in March last year following a critical CAA audit which identified a “systemic failure of safety management”. Phil Thomas in turn brought in Peter Beales, operations manager, and with the small team of staff he said they’d successfully addressed all the most serious safety concerns and the majority of the less serious ones. He said the licence suspension was voluntary and that he felt the airport had done what it needed to address the outstanding matters, describing the situation as “immensely frustrating”.
Swansea Airport Ltd said the team had also brought an additional hangar into use, introduced an effective self-service fuelling system, increased the number of visiting aircraft, and made preparations for the reintroduction of grass runways. Phil Thomas said at least £20,000 had been spent on the airport’s fire appliance this year alone. He said the airport was staffed five days a week and that it operated on the other two, although pilots had to sign disclaimers on those days if they wanted to use it.
“This place has had its ups and downs,” he said. “It can be disheartening, but then you have days like the air show when 75% of the aircraft came here for fuelling and parking, and the place changes. I think all our staff are very professional – the rescue and fire-fighting guys are top drawer.”
He added: “We have worked with the alliance towards a safe transition. All we want it is a well-run airport which is operated safely, regardless of whose name is above the door.”
Operations manager Mr Beales said: “We would like to remain in-situ regardless of who’s taking it over, but we are passionate about the airport succeeding.”
Cambrian Flying Club has been based at the airport since 2009, offering flight training, hobby flying and flight experiences for the public. It has three two-seater and one four-seater aircraft. Operations manager Ben Clyde said the training provided was the “first rung in the ladder” towards a commercial pilot licence and that former trainees now flew planes for British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Ryanair, among others.
Mr Clyde said the company was started by his father and that he’d picked up the aviation bug as a boy, travelling to air shows. The 42-year-old took the family firm over around four years ago having worked as a business manager and building inspector, among other things. “We’ve currently got just under 150 students on our books,” he said. “It’s for all ages – we’ve got a 14-year-old up to people in their 90s.”
Mr Clyde said the club was part of the alliance and that he hoped the airport would become busier. Ideally he’d like to provide the next level up in commercial flight training. “I’m sure we can make a go of this,” he said.
Karl Nicholson, flight instructor at microlight outfit Gower Flight Centre, which also operates from the airport, said it had more than 100 learners on its books. “We all want a safe and thriving airport,” he said.
Carl Williams set up Skydive Swansea at the airport 18 years ago, building it up and eventually buying a plane worth more than £1 million. “It was the scariest signature I have ever put on paper,” he said. The company has since been acquired by a business called Go Skydive, with Mr Williams managing the Swansea operation on its behalf. Looking ahead to the alliance takeover, he said security of tenure was key. “Go Skydive are in a very good position going forward,” he said.
For Lisa Winter, co-owner of the airport cafe, the future feels very uncertain. She said she started working with leaseholder Roy Thomas last summer on plans to reopen the cafe, including a kitchen redesign. “We opened in May (2024), were closed for a brief period due to a plumbing problem, and re-opened again in July,” she said. “We have been building things up, and it’s starting to get really busy.”
The not-for-profit alliance said it intended to work towards reinstating the suspended CAA licence and would apply for a long-term tenancy when the council launched a competitive tender process at some point in the future.
Speaking earlier this month, Roy Thomas said he would also bid for a long-term lease when the opportunity arose. He has repeatedly said he has ploughed significant sums of money into the airport since he took it over in the early 2000s. “I took it from dereliction to a stage where it’s got a bright future,” he said. Mr Thomas said he’d never taken a salary, and he reiterated his call for an inquiry into the process which had led to the current turn of events.
Cllr Lewis said he wished the best for the airport. “I think there are opportunities,” he said. “My view is that there could be a small caravan site linked to it.”
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Business
52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off
THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.
Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.
18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.
Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.
An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].
“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.
“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”
Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.
Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.
The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.
Business
World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners
AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.
Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.
The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.
The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.
SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.
“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”
Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”
“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.
The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.
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