The investment will allow for the expansion of one of the three existing hangars at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) to accommodate Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft. Once completed, the base will transition from having one flexible hangar to two, facilitating the maintenance of a wider variety of aircraft, including Boeing 777 and 787 models.
This project will commence in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2026. The expansion will enable the Cardiff base to carry out more complex and detailed maintenance work.
British Airways’ maintenance base in Cardiff currently employs 480 workers, contributing significantly to the Welsh economy. According to Rebecca Evans, Minister for Economy, Energy, and Planning for the Welsh Government, “This announcement once again demonstrates the vital role Cardiff Airport plays in attracting investment to Wales and in the growth of our aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector.”
Andy Best, Technical Director of British Airways, stated: “Our engineering base in Wales is an integral part of our maintenance operation, and this investment, as part of our overall strategy, will ensure that British Airways Engineering Wales continues to play a key role for many years to come. The expansion provides us with greater flexibility and control over our heavy maintenance activities for the Boeing and Airbus long-haul fleets, ensuring more efficient planning and execution.”
For its part, the Welsh Government highlighted the importance of the base for the development of the aerospace sector in the region, drawing international attention to Cardiff’s MRO capabilities.
Technical details of the aircraft
- Boeing 787: 214-256 seats depending on the variant (787-8, -9, -10).
- Boeing 777: 297-333 seats depending on the variant (777-2, -3).
- Airbus A350: 331 seats.
