Airport launches new language policy

Cardiff Airport is today (05 November 2009) launching a new Welsh language policy outlining the way the airport will endeavour to incorporate the Welsh language into all its communications.

The work on providing a Welsh language service to passengers has been ongoing since the introduction of the new brand in March 2009, when the airport announced a revised bilingual name and a focus on creating a ‘sense of place’ and celebrating its ‘Welshness’. The website www.tbicardiffairport.com is entirely bilingual and all new signage erected is in English and Welsh.

From November 2009 the airport’s mailing list will be able to receive electronic newsletters in Welsh on a monthly basis, and pre-recorded Welsh audio announcements will be heard at the terminal.

The airport is committed to providing a bilingual service to all customers, even those who can’t speak the language but who are eager to see and hear Welsh, and to giving passengers the opportunity to communicate with the airport through the medium of English or Welsh.

Welsh will be integrated into other aspects including stationery, promotional materials, printed publications, media relations, marketing communications and the airport’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Staff members will be encouraged to develop and exercise their Welsh language skills, and the airport has also signed up to the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ (A Warm Welsh Welcome) initiative aimed at the tourism industry.

Patrick Duffy, Cardiff Airport’s managing director commented: “The airport is a very visible organisation in Wales and therefore it is important to be supportive and active in promoting the use of Welsh, which will bring further benefits including improvement to the quality of customer service, attracting new customers, increasing customer loyalty, and enhancing public relations.

Our mission is to be seen by all stakeholders as an increasingly bilingual organisation serving all of the people of Wales.”

Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board added: “Caridff Airport is the most visible portal into Wales and people flood through here from the four corners of the globe.  It is marvellous, therefore, to see that the airport now displays Welsh so prominently, and to hear bilingual messages greeting our visitors.  This is what visitors to Wales, and Welsh people, want to see and hear.  They want to know that they’re in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, rather than in Bristol, Manchester or Liverpool. 

Many congratulations to the airport on adopting a robust Welsh language policy which will please Welsh people and visitors alike.”

The airport’s Welsh language policy is available to download from the website, visit www.tbicardiffairport.com/en/community to find out more.

05/11/2009