Airways International Cymru

Airways International Cymru was an airline based in Cardiff, Wales formed by Red Dragon Travel, at the time a leading Welsh travel agency and tour operator. It commenced operations in early 1984, and ceased all operations in early 1988 after financial difficulties arising from the lease of an aircraft to an American airline.

Airways International Cymru
IATA ICAO Callsign
AK CYM WELSHAIR
Founded1984
Ceased operations1988
Operating basesCardiff
Fleet size7
Destinations20
Parent companyRed Dragon Travel
Headquarters Cardiff, Wales

Cymru is the name for Wales in the Welsh language.

History
BAC1-11 of the airline at Faro Airport
Boeing 737-200 of the airline in 1986

The airline commenced operations in 1984 offering flights to popular European holiday destinations. It was based in Cardiff, Wales and started operations with a single British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Eleven (BAC 1-11-300) G-YMRU purchased from Quebecair of Canada. For the first summer season of operations it also leased a BAC 1-11-400 G-AXMU from British airline British Island Airways. Later in 1984 it introduced a further BAC 1-11-300 G-WLAD purchased from Quebecair as a replacement for the British Island Airways aircraft.

In 1985 it introduced an ex Britannia Airways Boeing 737-200 G-BAZI leased from GPA.

In 1986 it received its first Boeing 737-300 G-PROC, and this was used to expand destinations to popular holiday spots throughout Europe.

In 1987 it received a new Boeing 737-300 G-BNCT. Additional contracts saw the lease of a further Boeing 737-300 G-PROK for the summer of 1987. After the European summer season, this Boeing 737-300 was leased to an American airline, SunCoast Airlines. Difficulties regarding the contract, and a lack of payment for the lease led to financial difficulties, and in early 1988 the airline's aircraft were repossessed by their lenders.

Throughout the airline's history, the operational fleet was reduced during the winter months by leasing out of aircraft to other operators. These included Air New Zealand, Aer Lingus, British Midland Airways and Manx Airlines.

Destinations

Airways International Cymru served 20 destinations across Europe (during operations).

Fleet
An Airways International Cymru Boeing 737-300 at Faro Airport, Portugal (1986)
Airways International Cymru fleet before closure
Aircraft Total Routes Registration Notes
BAC One-Eleven-304AX 1 Short haul G-YMRU[1] YMRU meaning Cymru (Wales in English)
Scrapped
BAC One-Eleven-304AX 1 Short haul G-WLAD[2] GWLAD meaning GWLAD (Country in English)
Scrapped
BAC One-Eleven-432FD 1 Short haul G-AXMU[3] Scrapped
Boeing 737-204 1 Short-Medium haul G-BAZI[4] Scrapped July 2006 whilst with LAN Express as CC-CSP
Boeing 737-3Q8 1 Short-Medium haul G-PROC[5] Painted in Sunshine Scheme
Now with Southwest Airlines as N663SW
Boeing 737-3Q8 1 Short-Medium haul G-PROK[6] Withdrawn from use at Victorville Southern California Logistics Airport whilst with Southwest Airlines as N695SW
Boeing 737-3Q8 1 Short-Medium haul G-BNCT[7] Leased from ILFC
Now flying with Swiftair as EC-KLR (converted to cargo)

References
  1. G-YMRU Picture
  2. G-WLAD Picture
  3. G-AXMU Picture
  4. G-BAZI Picture
  5. G-PROC Picture
  6. G-PROK Picture
  7. G-BNCT Picture
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