British Airways (BA) has unveiled plans for a significant multi-million-pound investment in its engineering maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport.

The upgrade will expand one of the three existing maintenance bays at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) to accommodate larger, long-haul A350 aircraft. This will transform BAMC from having one to two fully flexible bays, enabling the facility to undertake more complex and varied maintenance tasks.

Currently, BAMC serves Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, but the expansion will enhance operational efficiency by supporting a wider range of aircraft types.

The upgrade is part of BA’s broader £7 billion transformation programme and is scheduled to begin in 2025, with completion anticipated in 2026.

The investment highlights BA’s commitment to its Cardiff operations, which employs 480 colleagues and plays a vital role in the Welsh economy.

Andy Best, chief technical officer at BA, said: “Our Welsh engineering base is an integral part of our maintenance operation, and this investment, as part of our wider maintenance strategy, will ensure that British Airways Engineering Wales continues to play a key role for many years to come.

“The expanded facility provides us with greater flexibility and control over our heavy maintenance activity on both the Boeing and Airbus long-haul fleets, ensuring more efficient planning and execution.”

Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning in the Welsh Government, said: “This announcement once again demonstrates the vital role that Cardiff Airport plays in bringing investment into Wales and in growing our aerospace MRO sector, where we see continued international interest.

The investment is a recognition of the airline’s worldwide reputation for quality and reliability in aircraft maintenance. It acknowledges over 30 years of BAMC’s experience in this industry and will help build on that experience to keep delivering excellence in the future.

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