AN AIRLINE’S announcement that it is withdrawing its service from Cardiff Airport has prompted criticism from a Vale-based AM.

Tory opposition leader, Andrew RT Davies highlighted axed routes and falling passenger numbers as he questioned First Minister, Carwyn Jones in the Senedd this week.

Latest Civil Aviation Authority statistics show a seven per cent decrease in passenger numbers between September 2013 and September this year at the Rhoose-based airport which equates to a drop of almost 10 thousand people using the terminal.

GermanWings has said it would not operate the route between Dusseldorf and Cardiff in 2015.

CityJet said it would axe flights from Cardiff to Glasgow last month and the airport's chief executive departed in the summer following a management re-structure.

Andrew RT Davies, asked for an explanation during First Minister’s Questions and called for renewed emphasis on private sector investment at the nationalised airport, similar to that in Scotland, where the government has begun working with the Trump organisation following its purchase of Prestwick Airport for one pound.

He also said the opportunity to get the Emirates and Delta airlines had been lost because the Welsh Government hadn’t granted support for Emirates in 2007 and 2008 and Delta in 2010.

Mr Jones said, on Tuesday, November 18, he believed the airport’s future was a long-haul one and the Welsh Government is set to loan £3.5 million loan, as part of the Welsh budget, as an aid to developing new routes.

Welsh Conservatives published a detailed ‘Blueprint for Cardiff Airport’ last year, setting out a number of ways to expand the airport, sell it back into private hands, and reimburse the taxpayer.

Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies AM said: “Axed routes and falling passenger numbers; recent months have raised serious question marks at the nationalised Cardiff airport.

“If the future lies in long haul, as Labour’s First Minister suggests, we need to see a strategy focused on getting a long haul route – and in particular – a transatlantic flight.

“Given nearly 70 million pounds of public money has now been spent by Labour purchasing and improving the airport, taxpayers deserve to hear how the First Minister intends to deliver on his promises.

“Now the airport lies in Welsh government hands, it is absolutely paramount that success and expansion are achieved.

The Welsh Government paid £52m to acquire the airport from Abertis in 2013.