Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:35 pm on 10 March 2020.
I think it's really important. Helen Mary Jones makes a really important point about the human impact of Flybe's collapse, and I am pleased to say that, as a consequence of Loganair intervening and taking up the Cardiff to Edinburgh route, they have prioritised jobs for Flybe staff and this includes at Cardiff Airport. I am also encouraged by very recent discussions that the airport is having with other airlines who also could step in and take over vitally important routes.
I'd just like to say that I am genuinely grateful to the Welsh Conservatives for their support of our position on air passenger duty and their support for the call for a route between Cardiff and Manchester to be established. It's ironic though because, of course, we asked the UK Government to promote a public service obligation from Cardiff to Manchester and they refused to do so, to the European Commission.
So, I ask for the support of all Members in calling on the UK Government to consider three vitally important measures in its review of regional connectivity. First, remove the regulatory cost burden on regional airports, as is done in Europe. Second, open up new public service obligation flights between the UK regions and also to Europe. Thirdly and finally, but vitally important, is air passenger duty: devolve APD to Wales so that we have control to deliver our policy objectives.