The cost of maintaining the Cardiff-Anglesey air-link continues to rise, according to information obtained by Welsh Conservatives.
The Welsh Government subsidy reached almost 1.5 million pounds in 2011/12 and is forecast to reach 1.6 million during 2013/14. No figures are supplied beyond 2014/15.
By the end of the last financial year, six million pounds had been pumped into the service since it was established.
Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar obtained the information.
He said, "The amount of public money being eaten up by this service is extremely worrying and taxpayers may rightly ask if Ieuan Air has had its day.
"The ex-minister who set it up is now long gone from government and in the current financial climate we need to look very carefully at this air-link.
"I have no doubt it continues to serve an important purpose for many, but its ever-rising public costs need urgent review."
Shadow Minister for Finance, Paul Davies AM, said, "The North-South air-link may have a continuing role to play but its mounting subsidy is now becoming intolerable.
"Ministers need to sit down and discuss this air-link’s future. Viability is absolutely crucial and value for money in the long-term has got to be the priority."
Notes:
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement of the total annual cost to the Welsh Government of maintaining the Cardiff-Anglesey air-link since it was established. (WAQ61395)
Carl Sargeant: The annual funding provided is detailed below:
2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
£1.187m £1.079m £1.080m £1.125m £1.479m
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): Will the Minister make a statement on the total anticipated annual cost to the Welsh Government per year for maintaining the Cardiff-Anglesey air-link in the financial years:
a) 2013-2014
b) 2014-2015
c) 2015-2016. (WAQ61396)
Carl Sargeant: The Welsh Government anticipates the future cost of operating the Intra Wales Air Service, including the provision of civilian airport facilities at RAF Valley to be:
2013-14: £1.600m
2014-15: £1.600m
The current contract for the Intra Wales Air Service expires in December 2014. There are no cost estimates for 2015-16.