Anglesey Airport

Anglesey Airport
Name	Anglesey Airport
IATA	VLY
ICAO	EGOV
Owner	Isle of Anglesey County Council
City-served	Isle of Anglesey
Location	Rhosneigr
Elevation-f	37
Elevation-m	11
Coordinates	53, 14, 53, N...
R1-number	14/32
R1-length-f	4,439
R1-length-m	1,353
R1-surface	Asphalt
Stat-year	2023
Stat1-header	Passengers
Stat1-data	~10,000
Stat2-header	Aircraft Movements
Stat2-data	~5,000

Anglesey Airport is a regional airport located near the village of Rhosneigr on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. Owned by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, it operates scheduled services to Cardiff Airport and provides a base for general aviation and flight training. The airport's single runway and modern terminal support both commercial operations and its strategic role adjacent to RAF Valley.

History

The airfield's origins date to the Second World War when it was constructed as a Royal Air Force satellite station, known as RAF Rhosneigr, supporting training and operational squadrons. Post-war, it was utilized for various military purposes before civilian operations began to develop. In the 1970s, the facility was transferred to local authority control, marking its transition towards a public airport. Significant development occurred in the 2000s with the construction of a new passenger terminal, officially opened by Charles, Prince of Wales, enhancing its capacity for scheduled services. The airport's history remains closely intertwined with the adjacent RAF Valley, a major RAF fast-jet training base, with which it shares some infrastructure and air traffic control services.

Facilities

The airport features a single Asphalt runway, 14/32, which is 1,353 meters long and equipped with basic Lighting for night operations. The passenger terminal, opened in 2007, contains check-in desks, a departure lounge, and baggage reclaim facilities. A dedicated Air traffic control tower, operated in coordination with RAF Valley, manages the airspace. Support infrastructure includes aircraft parking aprons, a fuel station offering Avgas and Jet fuel, and a maintenance hangar. The site also houses the Anglesey Flying School and provides facilities for private aircraft based at the airfield.

Airlines and destinations

The sole scheduled airline operating from the airport is Eastern Airways, which provides multiple daily flights to Cardiff Airport under a Public Service Obligation contract supported by the Welsh Government. This service provides a vital air link to the Senedd and connects to the wider UK network via Cardiff. No other commercial carriers currently operate scheduled routes, though the airport frequently handles General aviation traffic, charter flights, and aircraft associated with the nearby Ministry of Defence facilities at RAF Valley.

Statistics

Passenger numbers have fluctuated over the years, typically ranging between 8,000 and 12,000 annually, with a figure of approximately 10,000 recorded for 2023. Total aircraft movements, including military, training, and commercial traffic, average around 5,000 per year. The Cardiff route consistently accounts for the vast majority of passenger throughput. Cargo tonnage is minimal, as operations are predominantly passenger-focused. These figures rank it among the smaller regional airports in the United Kingdom, similar in scale to Barra Airport or Land's End Airport.

Ground transportation

The airport is accessible via the A55 North Wales Expressway, with the journey to Holyhead taking roughly 20 minutes and to Bangor approximately 30 minutes. Local bus services are limited, with no dedicated public transport route directly serving the terminal; most passengers rely on taxis or private vehicles. Car parking is available on-site, including short-stay and long-stay areas. There is no direct rail link, with the nearest railway stations located at Rhosneigr and Valley.

Accidents and incidents

The airport and its vicinity have experienced few serious accidents. A notable incident occurred in 2014 when a Beechcraft King Air twin-engine turboprop, operating a cargo flight, overran the runway after landing; there were no serious injuries. The adjacent RAF Valley has recorded several training accidents involving aircraft like the Hawk trainer, but these are not directly associated with civilian airport operations. The overall safety record is considered good, with no fatal accidents occurring at the civilian airport since its establishment.

Category:Airports in Wales Category:Buildings and structures in Anglesey