Swansea Airport

It’s a shame that the weather was not good enough for flying at the weekend, still it enabled us to get on with some volunteer training with 21 volunteers inducted and 6 successful candidates in the Radio Operators Certificate of Competence exam. We also gave the fire engine a run around!

Since taking over the lease at Swansea Airport, there has been a lot of work being done to ascertain the state of the airport and what we need to do, but today, we welcomed our first bit of traffic on the radio, “HELIMED57E” our life saving friends from Wales Air Ambulance Charity called us up on their way back to the base!

Movement #1 has been logged!

Handover day with our friends from the Council - Cllr Rob Stewart the Leader, Cllr Chris Holley and Alex O’Brien from the Estates Department

Well - 'That's a wrap' as they say.

The team here at Swansea Airport (EGFH) have completed their final day of operations, spoilt somewhat by a showery start to proceedings, it's glorious flying weather now though, typical of the unpredictability of our Swansea weather.

A final calculation of our movement log shows a YTD increase to the end of August of some 35% (in excess of 1200) additional movements, largely attributable to an increase in visiting aircraft, not too shabby but the potential though is so much more.
..and it's with that in mind that we will soon hand over to the Airport Alliance Ltd who's task now is to carry the torch forward and improve the airport further.

We wish you all the very best of luck!

Swansea Mgt, Ops & RFFS team.

Despite the cruddy weather our cafe was very busy today!

Swansea Airport announcement.

The leasholder of Swansea Airport - Swansea Airport Ltd - has surrendered the airports lease back to Swansea Council. The interim leaseholders of Swansea Airport will be the Swansea Airport Stakeholders Alliance who will have a temporary lease to operate the airport whilst the council consider options for it's future governance.

The current management, operations and RFFS team were brought in to manage the airport in early 2023 following a CAA audit report that resulted in 6 Level 1 non compliance's being levelled at the airport (L1 being serious non compliance relating to operational safety), the team will now leave the airport having reduced that to zero L1 non compliance's in just 18 months.
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Other key achievements from the team are:
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*Cafe re-opened.

*Introduction of an effective self service fueling system that has greatly reduced extraneous duties for the rescue and firefighting service.

*Cleared the runway strips completely of all vegetation such that the runway drains are visible for the first time in many years.

*Brought back into use a hangar previously unserviceable.

*Increased the number of resident aircraft with 7 arrivals and just 2 departures, and another arrival expected in August - people are returning.

*Increased significantly the number of visiting aircraft.

*Accommodated and refuelled approximately 3/4 of the Wales Air Display aircraft.

*Cut and laid the groundworks needed for the reintroduction of grass runways for the first time in more than 2 decades.

*Held the largest Multi Agency emergency response drill at the airport in over 30 years - many thanks to the Mid and West Wales Firefighting Service, The Welsh Ambulance Service, South Wales police and the the Wales Air Ambulance Service.
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A final note that none of the above would have been possible without the professionalism of all the staff at the airport who were all not afraid of rolling their sleeves up and getting their hands dirty - you know who you are.

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We will now soon hand the reigns over and thus wish the Alliance every success in their custodianship of this great and historically significant airport.
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**Respectful comments please, more than 10 staff members will be losing their jobs as a consequence of the lease surrender, for many the airport is their sole income source.**

The whirlybird Cafe open again today after staff illness yesterday.
Come and enjoy Dave and Lisa’s new menu.

Due to staff illness the cafe will not be open today. Dave and Lisa hope to be open again tomorrow.
We’ll issue an update later on today.

No flying so far today due to weather so a great opportunity to do some live fire drill training.

If you have any questions related to flight vouchers please contact the flying schools directly.

Cambrian Flight Centre is not affiliated to Swansea Airport Ltd but a resident business based at the airport.

If you have any queries please contact Cambrian Flight Centre directly on 01792 205688

The latest menu from The Whirlybird cafe.
Come and enjoy the lovely fayre Dave and Lisa have on offer.
Opening times Thursday-Sunday 9am to 3pm.

Some lovely recent feedback on SkyDemon from visiting pilots.

Whirlybird cafe opening times will be Thursday to Sunday 09-00 to 15-00.

However this week the cafe will not be open on Thursday.

Please note that for this week only the cafe will not be open on Thursday.
This is due to cafe staff personal commitments.
But business as usual thereafter.
Come and try the great fayre that Dave and Lisa have to offer.

Call sign 'Fire 1' providing technical assistance to call sign 'Sea King'...

Swansea’s thin blue line enjoying the sunshine at Swansea Airport yesterday.

Incredibly proud of the team at Swansea airport that looked after and fuelled display aircraft to support the amazing Swansea Airshow Weekend.
An intense but exciting time!
Fuelled the Wildcat, The magnificent Ravens, The Wasp,The Hurricane, The Sea King, Gazelles, Firebirds, Starlings, the Yak 50 and our resident Skydive among many others.
Dave and Lisa keeping pilots, crew and airport staff well fed and watered in the Whirlybird cafe.
Lots more videos and pics to come!

Wildcat Z551 taking on fuel today ahead of tomorrows air show.

Quick update - Unfortunately we remain at Cat 0 RFFS. Our fire appliance is now 100% functional in all areas and this weekend we will staff the airport for the Airshow to Cat 2 RFFS.

Unfortunately the regulator has rejected the acceptance calibration tests performed and certificates provided, they have their reasons for this and we must repect them.

Some better news - the leak in the back kitchen is now repaired, our Whirlybird Cafe is reopening tomorrow! We'd like to welcome back Lisa and Dave.

Grass runways for 04/22 & 10/28 getting closer, once the cut grass is collected they will be close to being usable, likely need to be rolled prior.

We remain at Cat 0 for our rescue and firefighting service. The fire appliance is completely functional now but because we have bought a brand new high pressure hose for it the regulator has mandated we remain at Cat 0 until acceptance tests are concluded and certified. We will return to Cat 1 as soon as we can complete this.