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Vol 32 - No 06 - September 2006 Branch news : Wales - Visit to Cardiff International Airport The fact that Cardiff has an International Airport might come as a surprise to many, but not to those of us who live under the flight path! Notwithstanding the slight intrusion Airbus and Boeing bring into our lives, interest in the operation of this regional asset was deemed to be sufficiently high several years ago, that a visit was planned. This proposed visit to CIA was firstly postponed and then, sadly, cancelled. As a member who’d submitted his name for that visit, I realised that for my disappointment to be assuaged, and for the event to take place, I would have to organise it myself, the previous facilitator having moved out of the area. As a member of the committee of the M & M Specialist Section of the IEE (now IET) responsible for choosing suitable venue for visits, it seemed that I could kill several birds with one stone, organise a trip to CIA for the IET, combine it with IOM members thus making it a joint venture, meet other IOM members with a view to re-establishing a Wales Branch of IOM. Let it be known to all, that the road to hell is not paved with good intentions, the road to hell is paved with what seemed like a good idea at the time. This particular scheme started in September 2004 and on 24th May 2006, it actually took place. The intervening period, regarding the organisation, was not without interest (or bouts of panic)! Because of the security aspect of operations at CIA, as well as practical constraints, the visit had to be limited to 24 members in total. The evening started at 1800 hrs with a buffet and an exceptionally well delivered presentation by Steve Hodgetts, Head of Business Development for CIA, during which, the history of, and the future plans for the airport were outlined. Comparisons with other airports made interesting and fascinating listening, and learning that CIA was voted one of the Top 10 Best Airports in the World by the Telegraph Travel Awards in October 2004 was not a total surprise. The group then split equally into two, one to the Control Tower with Jonathan Bugg, Head of Air Traffic Operations at CIA, the other half with Steve and Cathie Brannigan, from the Directors Office of CIA, went ‘Air Side’ to look at the processing and commercial operations. The groups then changed after 45 minutes. It seemed that there was no facet to any of the aspects seen and described that did not hold a fascination for the visitors. The visit over ran, principally because of the number of questions raised, but no-one complained, even those with the greatest justification to do so, our hosts! There’s already a waiting list for the proposed repeat visit! Keith Vosper, MIOM Related Topics:
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