ANGLESEY AIRPORT
MAES AWYR MÔN

The idea of an airport at Anglesey's RAF Valley Fast Jet Training Centre had been mooted now and then over the years. One obvious reason was the Island's ambition to make itself an easier to reach tourist location.

A project had been developed for Mona Aerodrome near Gwalchmai in the early to mid 80s. It was quite well advanced as well. The idea was to make the Mona Industrial Site a business centre that could be serviced by the runway. It progressed to such a point that a £200,000 taxiway was built off the RAF runway.

Such is the way of things that it ended there, even after quite a substantial infrastructure investment. What has happened since the taxiway was created is that a road of inferior asphalt has been cut right through it rendering it completely useless.

Such things happen when you're not spending your own money but that from the public purse.

But it was not until 2006 that big players became involved in the project to create an airport at RAF Valley. It has since progressed beyond gentle ambition to operational success.

The Airport Steering Group was put together by Albert Owen, the Island’s Member of Parliament. The group consisted of members of the local authority’s Economic Development Unit, the Council Leader and local business people. The RAF was quite enthusiastic form its development and would have to have been considering that their facilities would be supporting the airport operations.

The airport came into operation in 2007 and, despite a degree of local scepticism has become a facility used by politicians, business people and locals heading down to Cardiff for a weekend or to enjoy the sales. Most locals thought that it would only be a jolly for Cardiff based politicians.

I know of people in their late eighties who have travelled down to weddings in Cardiff. So scepticism has been replaced by shoppers, those travelling down to watch international rugby or to enjoy a long weekend in Wales’ capital city.

The weekday flights are between RAF Valley and Cardiff with return morning and evening flights. This Anglesey-Cardiff leg was only the initial plan that would draw down subsidy from the Welsh Assembly Government from the European Commission's Public Service Obligation (PSO)

There are active plans to have regular flights to Dublin but these are in the putative or planning stage at the moment. However, as the usage of the airport grows then there is a greater likelihood of this happening. Also, it is hoped that weekend flights could also be on the horizon - nothing yet on the latter.

The regular service is run by Highland Airways and bookings are made on a very similar basis to Easyjet and Ryan Air: the further in advance that you book your ticket then the cheaper the flights can be.

NEWS

Saturday 17 October 2009

Such is the demand for seats on the regular weekday flights between Anglesey and Cardiff that it is now intended to increase the length of financial support for the service and Highland Airways to fly larger planes.

In the first two years of the Service almost 30,000 people have flown in and out from RAF Valley thus proving viability as a EU supported business and public service.

The Welsh Assembly Government has now decided that it will tender again for further Public Service Obligation finding from the EU. If successful then this will guarantee an operational future until 2014.

While that bid is being prepared, Highland Airways have decided that they will upgrade their aircraft to carry at least 29 passengers on each flight from May 2010. This is an increase from the current 18 places.

That Maes Awyr Mon has been a great success is a victory against those many Nay-Sayers who appear to be against any kind of major investment on Anglesey.

One thing that these Nay-Sayers have in common seems to be a lack of ambition, ability and commitment. It's the easiest thing in the world among those who lack ability to decry efforts and enthusiasm in others.

Nothing justifies the position of Nay-Saying more than seeing someone fail. It's always easier to maintain a position where it is always someone else's fault rather than their own failure to engage with courage.

I support Bobby Charlton's thoughts about making ambitious shots at goal. As long as you have a go, then the fans will forgive you. It's when you do not take a chance that you lose support.

Congratulations to all those who are having a go for Anglesey rather having a go at it.

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