HAVERFORDWEST’S airport officially has a private operator, which has leased the previously loss-making council-owned facility, promising to “breathe new life into such an iconic gateway”.
Back in 2024, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet supported the leasing of the council-run Withybush Airport as part of plans to make the facility cost-neutral to the authority.
In 2023, Cabinet members heard the financial position at the council-supported Haverfordwest/Withybush airport deteriorated in 2022/23, with an out-turn position for 2022/23 of £238,000.
That loss was been reduced to an expected £119,000 for 2023/24 “following an extensive review of the operations of the airport”.
Cabinet members, back in 2024, heard there would be a requirement on leases to obtain/keep a CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] Cat II licence and at a market rent, which would “make the airport cost-neutral to the council from the day the lease is signed, whilst also ensuring that an operational airport remains for Pembrokeshire to benefit from”.
Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller at the time said: “The airport is a valuable facility and one I’m keen to maintain; I personally recognise that maintaining an ongoing public subsidy is not something we’re particularly keen to do indefinitely.”
He added: “What the lease, we believe, will do is maintain a franchising CAT II airport in Haverfordwest and remove our liability from day one.”
At the March 2025 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members heard the final paperwork was “on track” to hand the airport over to the new operators by the start of April, with the facility becoming “cost-neutral” to the authority “from the moment it’s handed over to the operator”.
On April 1, Haverfordwest Airport Limited took the lease on the airport, officially taking over its management from the council.
Haverfordwest Airport Limited has said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this exciting new chapter as the proud operators of Haverfordwest Airport.
“This is a remarkable opportunity for us to breathe new life into such an iconic gateway, and we are committed to enhancing the airport’s facilities and services for the benefit of the community, visitors, and businesses alike.
“We also recognise the importance of Haverfordwest Airport to the emergency services, and we are dedicated to continuing our support for their vital operations, 24/7, 365 days a year.
“We would like to acknowledge the hard work of Pembrokeshire County Council in getting us to this point, and we look forward to driving the airport’s growth, innovation, and connectivity in the years ahead.”
