Greens were right all along Air Wales decision supports Green Party view Air Wales has pulled out of Swansea airport after over two years of sustained protest from Wales Green Party.

Martyn Shrewsbury' leader of Wales Green Party comments:
"Air Wales are claiming that they are pulling out of Swansea airport because the Aviation Authority is demanding that they invest £1 million in the airport' but we have known for a long time that Air Wales were having trouble balancing the books.

"The Green Party has consistently argued that this airport is a waste of money' yet the Welsh Assembly invested £600'000 in promoting it' and it has been backed by Swansea County Council - this money would have been better spent on creating sustainable jobs in South Wales."

Economically unsustainable
Martyn Shrewsbury continues: "The Greens have consistently argued that this airport should be closed for economic and environmental reasons. We have asked Air Wales to open their books to the public. We are pleased that we have now been vindicated.

"The aviation industry pays no tax on its fuel. The motorist pays VAT on petrol' why shouldn't the air industry do the same?

"The Green Party is delighted that our sustained protest has paid off. We provided a copy of our report "Aviation's Economic Downside" to both Swansea council and Assembly Member Andrew Davies' and it was ignored. Perhaps now they realize that they should have paid attention."

Further information' interviews:
Green Party press office: 020 7561 0282 www.greenparty.org.uk