Cardiff Airport has welcomed more than one million passengers over the past 12 months, reaching a major milestone as it continues its strong recovery and growth.
The achievement comes as new figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show Cardiff Airport was the second fastest-growing airport in the UK during the first quarter of 2026, recording a 24% increase in passenger numbers compared with the same period last year.
The airport says growing demand for flights from Wales, combined with investment from airline partners and the introduction of new routes, has helped drive passenger growth.
Over the last year, Cardiff Airport has expanded its network of destinations, including twice-daily flights to Amsterdam, daily services to Dublin and four weekly flights to Toronto, offering onward connections across Canada and North America.
Other highlights contributing to the milestone include welcoming new airline partner WestJet, TUI basing a fourth aircraft at Cardiff this summer, and the launch of new destinations including Hurghada, Faro, Fuerteventura, Salzburg, Toronto, Turin and Kittilä.
The airport also successfully welcomed more than 19,000 international rugby supporters during the EPCR Challenge Cup Final, Investec Champions Cup Final and Six Nations tournaments, while Ryanair is operating its busiest ever summer programme from Cardiff.
According to Cardiff Airport, it supports thousands of jobs across South Wales and contributes more than £200 million annually to the Welsh economy.
Jon Bridge, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said:
“Welcoming more than one million passengers is a major milestone for Cardiff Airport and a clear sign of the growing demand for flights from Wales. To be recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority as the second fastest-growing airport in the UK is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work of our colleagues and partners, as well as the confidence passengers and airlines continue to place in Cardiff. We are focused on building on this momentum, expanding connectivity and delivering long-term benefits for Wales and the wider economy.”
Looking ahead, WestJet’s new direct service between Cardiff and Toronto is expected to strengthen links with North America, while TUI has expanded its holiday programme with new destinations and additional capacity on several popular routes. Crystal Ski has also introduced new winter flights to Turin following strong demand for ski services to Chambéry and Salzburg.
Alongside passenger growth, Cardiff Airport says cargo remains a key strategic focus, with opportunities to increase freight capacity and attract new commercial partnerships aimed at strengthening the airport’s resilience and supporting economic growth across Wales.
