Thank you, Deputy Llywydd. It was reassuring to hear from the Minister that the recent and highly regrettable news that Flybe ceased trading on 4 March does not affect the overall viability of Cardiff Airport; but equally, aviation is indeed having a very difficult period, and we know that Brexit is playing its part in this.

But, the on the record doom-mongering from the Conservative Party opposite about the long-term future of the airport has proved to be unfounded, and it is unwelcome for the airport and those whose jobs rely on it. So, I also suggest that we do not talk Wales down. The day after the Flybe announcement, Cardiff Airport confirmed it had secured agreement with Loganair to step in and operate this crucial Cardiff to Edinburgh service starting on 23 March, so it's a shame that the party opposite did not welcome this. If they support the airport and they support Welsh infrastructure, it is my belief that they should.

It is also right, again, I think, to underscore here that Cardiff Airport is indeed an important piece of strategic transport infrastructure. It is a key economic asset for Wales, and as such its vitals are strong. Nearly 1.7 million passengers flew from Cardiff Airport in 2019. That's up 7 per cent on the year before, the busiest year since 2009, and up by 65 per cent since our Welsh Government involvement. Last year also saw the airport post a 34 per cent growth in commercial revenue. These are real facts.

There is much talk in this Chamber of Wales becoming a mature nation in its own right as a member of the United Kingdom family of nations. So, what self-respecting nation does not want or have its own airport servicing its capital city and the wider nation, and the 52,000 supply-chain jobs that go with it, including research and development? If we choose to shirk our national responsibilities to Wales, we would stand aside as regional English cities like Bristol and Exeter's airports grow. We are an aspirational and ambitious nation, and I know that the Welsh Labour Government will not shrink from standing up for Wales. It is vital for Wales's trading economy post Brexit to support Cardiff Airport as part of a high quality, integrated and low carbon public-transport system.

The Welsh Labour Government has also consistently called for air passenger duty to be devolved to Wales, and I'm glad that the Tories opposite now support it. I would ask them to take that message back to their UK masters. Independent expert analysis demonstrates clear economic benefits for Wales if air passenger duty is devolved, and obviously a subsequent decision taken by Welsh Ministers to reduce that air passenger duty. As the UK leaves the EU, the devolution of air passenger duty is a means by which the Welsh Government can promote the economic attractiveness of Wales, and growth in Wales in unison with the Welsh Government's existing economic policies, and is a key attraction for our investors. So, I'm pleased that there is now cross-party support across the Assembly for powers for air passenger duty to be made in Wales.

And I would also say—put it very simply, then—if Members do back Wales, then they will back the Welsh Government and Cardiff Airport. It is time that we all stand up for Wales, and it's time to end the talking down of Wales.