On the New York link the Western Mail
WalesOnline - News - Wales News - First Wales-US link stalls but ‘opportunity is there’ states-
Although negotiations were being led by Cardiff Airport the key to making the deal was financial support from WAG providing it didn’t break state aid rules. A way round this could have been in peripheral spending like an agreed marketing campaign with the airline.
Delta’s negotiating position was to effectively secure a guarantee from WAG that it would be liable for any operational losses.
The WAG obviously didnt want to do this especially at such tough economic times.