With the loss of Thomas Cook CWL is in need of a boost to its passenger numbers. Its owners the Welsh Government have said more than once that, as with other smaller airports, its fixed costs are disproportionately high compared with busier airports, and greater footfall is required to feed the ancillary revenue streams.
Either Jet2 or a substantially expanded Ryanair presence would be a good capture and provide the much-needed significant increase in passenger throughput. In the earlier years of this century CWL was handling tens of thousands more passengers per year on a number of routes than is currently the case so there is a strong argument to say that these routes are under-served or, in some cases, non-existent at present.
The latest CWL financial results show how urgent the need is in terms of the airport's profitability. Pre-tax losses have nearly trebled to £18.5 million compared with the previous year, although about half the loss is a write-down on the value of intangible assets such as intellectual property and brand recognition. The airport said that global economic factors including climate change, uncertainty over Brexit and rising fuel prices had impacted on the aviation sector.
Positive aspects included turnover increasing by £3 million to nearly £21 million, the airport contributing £250 million to the Welsh economy each year as well as sustaining 2,400 airport-related jobs.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50955180