Cardiff celebrates a year of local air link

Cardiff Airport has celebrated the first anniversary of one of its important local air connections.

Deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones flew from Cardiff to Maes Awyr Mon in Anglesey on May 9th to celebrate the route's first birthday.

Some 14,000 passengers have used the service, provided by Highland Airways, since it was first launched.

Mr Jones, who is also Wales' economy and transport minister, said: "This service has been a huge success, beating all expectations.

"The demand reflects the need for this connection, an important development that is serving the business and leisure markets in Wales."

Colin Munro of Highland Airways said he was "astonished" at how popular the flight offering had been and revealed that the carrier had to overcome "many challenges" in order to make the service a success.

Cardiff Airport also hosts flights to a number of locations in Europe, including Naples and Warsaw, as well as the transatlantic destinations of Barbados and Vancouver.