West Wales Airport: A Hub Of Activity And Convenience

West Wales Airport, formerly known as Aberporth Aerodrome, is a small airport located 1.5 miles from the coast in Blaenannerch, Wales. It was once exclusively used by the MoD in nearby Parcllyn. The airport is open to GA visitors for business or leisure and has a CAA aerodrome licence for public transport flights. West Wales Airport is much quieter than Wales' largest and busiest airport, Cardiff International Airport, which served 1.66 million passengers in 2019.

West Wales Airport is located 1.5 miles from Aberporth, Wales

West Wales Airport, formerly known as Aberporth Airport, is located 1.5 miles from the coast of Aberporth, Wales. It is situated in Blaenannerch, not in Aberporth itself, and was previously called Aberporth Aerodrome when it was used exclusively by the MoD Aberporth, which was based in nearby Parcllyn. The airport is easily accessible by both air and road.

The airport is open to all GA visitors for business or leisure purposes, offering access to one of the most unspoilt areas of the country. It is equipped with a CAA aerodrome licence, which enables public transport flights. West Wales Airport also has a CAA Ordinary Licence (Number P859), authorising flights for public transport and flying instruction. The site is currently managed by QinetiQ, with NATS providing air traffic services.

The airport has a wide runway, and there is not much to do in the area other than have tea or coffee. Visitors should bring photo ID if they wish to leave the camp, and they should also allow extra time to be ferried on and off the camp. The airport's operations team is available to assist with any queries, providing information on traffic, weather, runway usage, and flight plans.

West Wales Airport is mainly used for testing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the West Wales UAV Centre, which is linked to the ParcAberporth, a creation of the Welsh Government. The site has been utilised for military testing, including the Clausen Rolling Platform for testing radar and launchers, and for the British military's rocket testing.

The airport is open to GA visitors for business or leisure

West Wales Airport, formerly known as Aberporth Aerodrome, is located in Blaenannerch. It was previously used by the MoD in Parcllyn, but now it is open to GA visitors for business or leisure. The airport has a wide runway, and there is not much to do besides having tea or coffee. The operations team at West Wales Airport is available to assist visitors with any queries and provide information about traffic, weather, runway usage, NOTAMs, and flight plans.

West Wales Airport is not as busy as Cardiff Airport, which is the busiest airport in Wales. Cardiff Airport is owned by the Welsh Government and has experienced a significant decrease in passenger numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic, similar to many other airports.

West Wales Airport has seen some changes over the years, including an extension of the runway and the rerouting of the B4333 road. These changes may have contributed to making the airport more accessible and convenient for visitors.

For those interested in aviation, West Wales Airport can be an interesting place to visit or even fly into. It offers a unique experience compared to larger, more crowded airports, providing a quiet and relaxed atmosphere for GA visitors. The airport is well-equipped to handle general aviation traffic, and the operations team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all visitors, whether they are arriving for business or leisure purposes.

Cardiff Airport is the busiest airport in Wales

Passenger numbers at Cardiff Airport were 1.66 million in 2019 and were increasing year on year. However, like most other airports, Cardiff Airport experienced a significant decrease in passengers due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Passenger numbers dropped to levels not seen since the 1960s. Despite this setback, the airport remains a crucial gateway to Wales, providing easy access to its rich culture, natural beauty, and scenic destinations.

The Welsh Government has recognised the importance of Cardiff Airport in its international strategy for 2020-2025, aiming to increase Wales' connectivity with the world and boost the economy through exports and investment. There are plans to make Cardiff Airport a UK centre for low-carbon aviation and sustainable adventure tourism. Consultants have been evaluating the airport's current and potential economic benefits to develop a long-term trajectory.

Cardiff Airport's convenient location near Bristol, Liverpool, and Manchester airports also makes it easily accessible to travellers from other parts of the UK. Additionally, Cardiff Airport's former status as an RAF Roose airfield adds to its historical significance. While there have been controversies and challenges, the Welsh Government and stakeholders remain committed to improving the airport's connectivity and impact on economic growth.

Cardiff Airport suffered a downturn in passengers due to the Covid-19 pandemic

Cardiff Airport, the busiest airport in Wales, has experienced a significant decline in passenger numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Like many airports worldwide, Cardiff Airport faced a challenging period during the pandemic, with its passenger numbers plummeting to levels unseen since the 1960s.

Before the pandemic, Cardiff Airport was experiencing growth, with passenger numbers reaching 1.66 million in 2019 and an upward trajectory. However, the Covid-19 crisis dealt a heavy blow to the airport's operations, causing a drastic drop in passengers. The airport's former CEO, Spencer Birns, described the impact as "wiping out" the airport, highlighting the abrupt halt to their progress.

During the pandemic, annual passenger numbers at Cardiff Airport fell to zero, a stark contrast to the pre-pandemic figures. This downturn forced the airport to explore new avenues to boost revenue. One such initiative was the introduction of a cargo service, the airport's first since 2010, demonstrating their efforts to adapt and diversify during this challenging period.

The recovery process has been gradual, with airlines departing and arriving over time. However, there are positive signs on the horizon. By 2024, Cardiff Airport witnessed a 5% increase in passenger numbers compared to the previous year, indicating a slow but steady resurgence in travel demand. Nonetheless, the airport has felt the lingering effects of the pandemic, prompting a leadership change in 2025, with Andy Jones taking over as interim CEO to steer Cardiff Airport into a new chapter.

As for West Wales Airport, previously known as Aberporth Aerodrome, there is limited recent information available regarding its passenger numbers. West Wales Airport is a smaller airfield that has undergone changes such as runway extensions and road rerouting. However, the focus of the discussion regarding passenger downturns due to the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be on Cardiff Airport, the primary airport in Wales.

West Wales Airport is also known as Pembrey West Wales Airport

Since its opening, the runway at Pembrey West Wales Airport has been extended to accommodate larger aircraft. As of 2010, there were further plans to lengthen the runway and lighting arrays to allow even bigger commercial aircraft to land. The airport has the infrastructure and operational licenses to accept commercial traffic, and it provides landing, refuelling, and other facilities to executive jets.

Pembrey West Wales Airport is situated inside the Royal Air Force danger area D118, known as Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range. It is open seven days a week but only operates at weekends unless a prior booking is made. This is due to an LOA with the MoD to operate civil and commercial flights during operational hours, with any visiting aircraft requiring PPR from the RAF.

The airport's ICAO code EGFP was withdrawn from the Aeronautical Information Publication in July 2022. As of 2025, no airlines operate to any scheduled or charter destinations from Pembrey.

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