British Airways is set to invest millions in expanding its maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport.

This investment is part of the airline's £7 billion transformation plan.

The project will see one of the three existing maintenance bays at the British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC) site expanded.

This expansion will allow the facility to accommodate the larger, long-haul A350 aircraft.

Currently, the base can only serve Boeing 777 and 787 types.

The expansion will make BAMC a two-bay facility, allowing for more complex maintenance operations.

The work is scheduled to begin in 2025, with completion expected the following year.

The expansion will enhance the airline's efficiency across maintenance operations by enabling the facility to handle more aircraft types.

Andy Best, British Airways' chief technical officer, 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."

The project underscores the airline's commitment to its Cardiff-based operations, which currently employ 480 people.

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said: "This is very welcome news from British Airways, paving the way for further growth at their Cardiff site and its highly skilled workforce.

"This announcement once again demonstrates the vital role that Cardiff Airport plays in bringing investment into Wales and in growing our Aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul sector, where we see continued international interest."

This investment acknowledges BAMC's 30-year experience in the industry and aims to build on that experience to keep delivering excellence.