British Airways (BA) has revealed plans to expand its maintenance base in Cardiff, enhancing its capacity to service larger long-haul aircraft as part of a £7 billion transformation strategy.
The project will see one of the three existing maintenance bays at the site upgraded to accommodate Airbus A350 aircraft, creating a second fully flexible bay capable of handling more complex maintenance work. Currently, the facility is limited to servicing Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.
Work on the expansion is set to begin in 2024, with completion expected by 2026. The base, located at Cardiff Airport, currently employs 480 people and is a key part of BA’s operations.
Andy Best, BA’s Chief Technical Officer, highlighted the importance of the Cardiff base to the airline’s maintenance operations.
“Our Welsh engineering base is an integral part of our maintenance operation. This investment, as part of our wider maintenance strategy, ensures that British Airways Engineering Wales continues to play a key role for years to come,” he said.
“The expanded facility will give us greater flexibility and control over heavy maintenance for both Boeing and Airbus long-haul fleets, enabling more efficient planning and execution.”
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government’s Economy, Energy, and Planning Secretary, welcomed the announcement as a boost for the local economy and aerospace industry.
“This is very welcome news from British Airways, paving the way for further growth at their Cardiff site and its highly skilled workforce,” she said.
“It demonstrates the vital role Cardiff Airport plays in attracting investment into Wales and growing our aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul sector, where we continue to see strong international interest.”
The expansion underscores the growing importance of Cardiff Airport as a hub for aerospace maintenance. The upgraded facility will allow British Airways to meet the demands of its evolving long-haul fleet, including the state-of-the-art Airbus A350.
