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ARTICLE · 31 JULY 2025

Flight Mode: Bristol Airport Challenges Cardiff Airport Subsidy

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Bristol Airport has appealed a decision to grant subsidy worth over £200m to Cardiff International Airport.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Stacey Gray
Stacey Gray

Bristol Airport has appealed a decision to grant subsidy worth over £200m to Cardiff International Airport.

Flight Mode: Bristol Airport Challenges Cardiff Airport Subsidy

On 20 June 2025, Bristol Airport Limited ("Bristol Airport") submitted an appeal under section 70 of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 (the "Act"), challenging the Welsh Government's decision to grant a subsidy package of up to £205.2 million on a phased basis over ten years to Cardiff International Airport Limited ("CIAL"). Section 70(1) of the Act provides that: "an interested party who is aggrieved by the making of a subsidy decision may apply to the Competition Appeal Tribunal for a review of the decision". The Registrar of the Competition Appeal Tribunal ("CAT") gave notice of the receipt of the appeal on 22 July 2025.

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