Unite the union is calling for a co-ordinated strategic response to Flybe’s collapse in order to ensure Cardiff Airport remains as a viable strategic transport hub for the future. Following on from the collapse of Thomas Cook and its effect on flights out of Cardiff, the demise of Flybe will add significant challenges to the future viability of Cardiff Airport.

Peter Hughes, Unite Wales regional secretary, commented: “Losing Flybe traffic from Cardiff airport is a very worrying development that will leave hundreds of Welsh workers extremely concerned. Cardiff is Wales only large scale commercial airport and it is of the highest importance that it not only survives, but that it thrives and grows.

“The Welsh government has worked extremely hard, alongside the workforce and airport management to try and grow the airport in what is an extremely difficult period for the industry. The UK government must now step up to the plate and ensure that crucial infrastructure such as Cardiff Airport are financially supported in order to remain viable. Infrastructure support should not stop with Crossrail and HS2, Wales and other peripheral parts of the UK are clearly being overlooked and left behind.

“For Cardiff Airport to have a bright future needs a co-ordinated strategic response from all levels of government. In these difficult times it is about time Boris Johnson’s government showed that it is interested and willing to support critical strategic Welsh infrastructure. Failure to do so will have negative economic implications for the Welsh economy long into the future.”