Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest in the world, was the latest destination for South East Wales politician Natasha Asghar MS.
Having been asked by countless concerned residents to “sort out Cardiff Airport or find a solution for the frittering away of taxpayers' money” Natasha touched down at the transport hub in London last week for a tour and to find out what goes on behind the scenes.
Staff showed Natasha around key areas of the Airport, which welcomed more than 60 million passengers last year, including the departures and arrivals terminals as well as security.
Natasha also caught a glimpse of the airport’s new security scanners which have been introduced as part of the UK Government’s new shake-up.
The changes to airport security rules will see an end to the 100ml rule on liquids and mean passengers can leave large electrical items in their cabin bags.
It means airports have until June next year to upgrade security equipment to include the new system which uses X-ray technology to provide a 3D image of what is in a passenger’s bag.
Natasha was also given an update on the Western Rail project, which if given the green light, will mean better connectivity to Wales and the South West of England, ultimately proving hugely beneficial to residents within South East Wales.
The project would see journey times from Cardiff to Heathrow cut by over 30 minutes and generate more than £220 million in economic benefits as well as bring some 40,000 new jobs to Wales, the South West and Greater Thames Valley.
Natasha’s recent visit to Heathrow was also a chance to find out more about Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
SAF is the only certain way to achieve net zero flying by 2050; there are a myriad of other beneficial and important decarbonisation measures, but these cannot take place without SAF investment.
SAF is proven, certified and already in use within existing aircraft, and will cut carbon by 70% or more.
Commenting after the visit, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“Visiting Heathrow Airport was a truly eye-opening experience in many ways but especially when it comes to airport security, rail connectivity and greener fuel.
“I was particularly pleased to hear more about the Western Rail project – which would be a huge benefit to my constituents in South East Wales by making travel to Heathrow easier.
“Although it’s not fair to compare Cardiff Airport and Heathrow, it’s clear Cardiff could be doing a lot more to attract airlines and passengers in a bid to turn the facility’s fortunes around.
“I look forward to working closely with Heathrow on a range of issues going forward including the Western Rail project.”
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Maes Awyr Heathrow, un o'r prysuraf yn y byd, oedd y gyrchfan ddiweddaraf i Natasha Asghar AS, y gwleidydd o De-ddwyrain Cymru
Ar ôl i lawer o drigolion pryderus ofyn iddi "roi trefn ar Faes Awyr Caerdydd neu ddod o hyd i ateb ar gyfer gwastraffu arian trethdalwyr" aeth Natasha i’r hwb trafnidiaeth yn Llundain yr wythnos diwethaf i gael taith o gwmpas y safle a gweld beth sy'n digwydd y tu ôl i'r llenni.
Dangosodd staff Natasha o amgylch rhannau pwysig y Maes Awyr, a groesawodd fwy na 60 miliwn o deithwyr y llynedd, gan gynnwys y terfynfeydd gadael a chyrraedd yn ogystal â’r trefniadau diogelwch.
Cafodd Natasha gipolwg hefyd ar sganwyr diogelwch newydd y maes awyr sydd wedi'u cyflwyno fel rhan o waith ad-drefnu newydd Llywodraeth y DU.
Bydd y newidiadau i reolau diogelwch maes awyr yn golygu dod â'r rheol 100ml ar hylifau i ben ac yn golygu y gall teithwyr adael eitemau trydanol mawr yn eu bagiau caban.
Mae'n golygu bod gan feysydd awyr tan fis Mehefin y flwyddyn nesaf i uwchraddio offer diogelwch i gynnwys y system newydd sy'n defnyddio technoleg pelydr-X i ddarparu delwedd 3D o'r hyn sydd mewn bag teithiwr.
Rhoddwyd diweddariad i Natasha hefyd ar brosiect Western Rail, a fydd, os caiff ei gymeradwyo, yn golygu gwell cysylltedd â Chymru a De Orllewin Lloegr, a fydd yn fuddiol iawn i drigolion De-ddwyrain Cymru yn y pen draw.
Byddai'r prosiect yn torri dros 30 munud ar amseroedd teithio o Gaerdydd i Heathrow ac yn cynhyrchu mwy na £220 miliwn mewn buddion economaidd yn ogystal â dod â thua 40,000 o swyddi newydd i Gymru, De-orllewin Lloegr a Greater Thames Valley.
Roedd ymweliad diweddar Natasha â Heathrow hefyd yn gyfle i ddarganfod mwy am Danwydd Hedfan Cynaliadwy (SAF).
SAF yw'r unig ffordd sicr o gyflawni hedfan sero net erbyn 2050; mae yna fyrdd o fesurau datgarboneiddio buddiol a phwysig eraill, ond ni all y rhain ddigwydd heb fuddsoddiad SAF.
Mae SAF wedi’i rofio a’i ardystio ac eisoes yn cael ei ddefnyddio mewn awyrennau, a bydd yn lleihau carbon 70% neu fwy.
Wrth sôn am yr ymweliad, dywedodd Natasha Asghar AS:
"Roedd ymweld â Maes Awyr Heathrow yn agoriad llygad mewn sawl ffordd, ond yn enwedig o ran diogelwch maes awyr, cysylltedd rheilffyrdd a thanwydd gwyrddach.
"Roeddwn i’n arbennig o falch o glywed mwy am brosiect Western Rail - a fyddai'n fudd enfawr i fy etholwyr yn Ne-ddwyrain Cymru drwy ei gwneud hi’n haws teithio i Heathrow.
"Er nad yw'n deg cymharu Maes Awyr Caerdydd a Heathrow, mae'n amlwg y gallai Caerdydd fod yn gwneud llawer mwy i ddenu cwmnïau hedfan a theithwyr mewn ymgais i godi’r maes awyr ar ei draed eto.
"Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at weithio'n agos gyda Heathrow ar ystod o faterion wrth symud ymlaen gan gynnwys prosiect Western Rail."
