NEW data reveals that Cardiff Airport passenger numbers have fallen by 3.6 per cent in the last year, with just over a million passengers using the airport.

The Welsh Government has spent around £80 million on the airport since they purchased it in 2013, when figures for the year of August 2012 to July 2013 reported passenger numbers at 1,016,603.

The latest figures show that much of last year’s gain has been eroded in the last 12 months – a fall of 3.6 per cent. This leaves passenger numbers for the airport up by just 11,997 since Welsh Labour’s purchase - equivalent to a subsidy of around £6,668 per head.

South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies, said: “Passenger numbers have been in steep decline since 2007 and Welsh Labour’s purchase of the airport has done little to arrest that slide.

“In fact, the Welsh Labour Government has spent almost £80 million on the airport so far, with passenger numbers up by a measly 12,000 since they purchased it in 2013. To be clear, that’s equivalent to a £6,600 a head subsidy for each new passenger.

“It’s an outrageous waste of taxpayers’ money.

“When the former Managing Director left suddenly last year it was claimed that the new appointment would oversee a substantial rise in new routes. In reality, that appointment has yet to reap any real dividends for the taxpayer and the Welsh public deserves better.”