Cardiff Airport introduces free Wi-Fi and free trolleys

Cardiff Airport has launched a new free Wi-Fi service and free trolleys for all customers using the airport from today. This has been delivered as part of an ongoing programme to improve the overall customer experience at the airport.

After listening to customer feedback the airport has switched from its previous service where passengers had to pay per hour to use the Wi-Fi facilities to a freemium service which will allow 30 minutes free surfing time per day. The service will also offer a new lower tariff after the free 30 minutes.

In addition, the airport will be removing its luggage trolley charges. Customers will now be able to use the trolleys free of charge compared to the previous £2 tariff. This is another change that is a result of direct passenger feedback and will improve the customer experience on site.

The system will operate in the same way as many supermarkets with customers providing a £1 coin to access the trolley which is refunded once the trolley is returned.

Jon Horne, Chief Executive of Cardiff Airport, said: “Delivering these benefits is part of our strategy of improving the service offered to our passengers. We have listened to what they have said to us and also looked at what is being offered by our competitors. In the case of Wi-Fi we have created a comparable offer, but in respect of trolleys, we have moved away from charging, which is commonplace in many airports today.

“The free Wi-Fi is not only an important development for our business travellers who may want to check emails and get online before they leave but also for holiday makers who may wish to access their social networks before their departure.

“Trolleys have long been regarded by passengers as an essential facility at an airport, so we believe restoring their free use at Cardiff is the right thing to do.

“Introducing these new services are just some of the many planned improvements for Cardiff Airport that will be announced in the coming months and combined with newly announced routes show we are listening and responding to what the people are Wales are telling us they want from their national airport.”

The free Wi-Fi service and trolley provision are available to passengers from November 1st and can be accessed in all areas of the airport.

Cardiff Airport has also recently announced new ski routes with Flybe this winter to Chambery, Lyon, Grenoble and Geneva. Vueling also announced a winter programme with additional flights to Malaga and Alicante operating all year round on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show Cardiff Airport passenger numbers have grown by 8% totalling 132,866 in September compared to the same month last year. This follows growth throughout the Summer season, making an average growth of 9% for the months May to September 2013.