and Düsseldorff which were ceased in January. Most of these routes were only served by Flybe. On 3 December 2020, Wizz Air UK announced its fourth UK base at Cardiff, basing one Airbus A321 aircraft and launching 9 routes (Alicante, Corfu, Faro, Heraklion, Lanzarote, Larnaca, Palma, Sharm El Sheikh and Tenerife), making Cardiff Airport the only Wizz Air and Wizz Air UK base without flights to Eastern Europe. The airline announced that it will shut down its base at Cardiff Airport on 29 January 2023. Infrastructure On 29 March 2006, a £100 million development strategy was announced to extend the terminal and upgrade the main body of the building. It was anticipated that the investment would attract up to five million passengers by 2015 – an increase of 150% – according to the airport's published response to a UK Government White paper on the future of air transport throughout the United Kingdom. Costing around £3m, half funded by the Welsh Government, extensive refurbishment began with the redevelopment of the front of the Airport terminal and approach areas. The development works included an extension to the front of the terminal linking the arrivals and departures halls into one large common area, and providing new food and retail services. As part of the work, most of the first floor of the terminal became 'airside' as the security control point to access the departures lounge is relocated there, above the existing arrivals hall. The approach area in front of the terminal building was also redesigned and landscaped. In October 2017, works costing £4 million were announced to upgrade the terminal by expanding the departures area with increased seating and retail space and expand the executive lounge. Outside the terminal, a new meet and greet parking facility and car hire terminal would be built. Work started in October 2017. In March 2020, the airport asked for a further loan of £6.8m loan-on top of £21m it received last year. In March 2021 the airport received a support package totaling £85.2 million from the Welsh Government. Minister for the Economy Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates AM, undertook the package in the form of a £42.6 million grant and a £42.6 million debt write off in order to "ensure [the airport's] medium to long-term viability." The decision came at the same time the UK Government provided a £100 million facility for English airports and the