mathers - I could see a case for APD being reduced or even scrapped at Anglesey and Swansea, but would struggle to see why there should be any kind of reduction at Cardiff.
I would be surprised if any long-haul carrier opened at Cardiff, given that Continental have left Bristol for the time being, and the Govt is unlikely to want to subsidise those flying from Cardiff to the Mediterranean beaches or UK domestic
Is there however a mechanism for the Govt to subsidise a specific route or two for a limited period of time (2 years maybe ?) as exists in the USA, with the offer open to any airline choosing to fly the route ? Perhaps the Welsh Govt might want to encourage the development of a Cardiff-Frankfurt or Cardiff-Dusseldorf route ? Would be much easier to argue in favour of it helping to boost the Welsh economy...