Airways International Cymru
Encyclopedia
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, but the airline ceased all operations in early 1988 after financial difficulties arising from the lease of an aircraft to an American airline.
, Wales
and started operations with a single BAC 1-11-300 purchased from Quebecair of Canada. For the first summer season of operations it also leased a BAC 1-11-400 from British airline British Island Airways. Later in 1984 it introduced a further BAC 1-11-300 purchased from Quebecair as a replacement for the British Island Airways aircraft.
In 1985 it introduced an ex Britannia Airways Boeing 737-200 leased from GPA.
In 1986 it received its first Boeing 737-300, and this was used to expand destinations to popular holiday spots throughout Europe
. Additional contracts saw the lease of a further Boeing 737-300 for the summer of 1986
In 1987 it received a new Boeing 737-300. After the European summer season, one of the Boeing 737-300 was leased to an American airline. 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 leasors or mortagees.
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
.
(during operations).
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
formed by Red Dragon Travel, at the time a leading Welsh travel agency and tour operator. It commenced operations in early 1984, but the airline ceased all operations in early 1988 after financial difficulties arising from the lease of an aircraft to an American airline.
History
The airline commenced operations in 1984 offering flights to popular European holiday destinations. It was based in CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and started operations with a single BAC 1-11-300 purchased from Quebecair of Canada. For the first summer season of operations it also leased a BAC 1-11-400 from British airline British Island Airways. Later in 1984 it introduced a further BAC 1-11-300 purchased from Quebecair as a replacement for the British Island Airways aircraft.
In 1985 it introduced an ex Britannia Airways Boeing 737-200 leased from GPA.
In 1986 it received its first Boeing 737-300, and this was used to expand destinations to popular holiday spots throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Additional contracts saw the lease of a further Boeing 737-300 for the summer of 1986
In 1987 it received a new Boeing 737-300. After the European summer season, one of the Boeing 737-300 was leased to an American airline. 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 leasors or mortagees.
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
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
, Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus Group Plc is the flag carrier of Ireland. It operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft serving Europe and North America. It is Ireland's oldest extant airline, and its second largest after low-cost rival Ryanair...
, British Midland Airways and Manx Airlines
Manx Airlines
Manx Airlines was an Isle of Man based airline which existed between 1982 and 2002. Its head office was located on the grounds of Isle of Man Airport in Ballasalla, Malew. An airline of the same name had existed between 1947 and 1958.-History:...
.
Destinations
Airways International Cymru served 20 destinations across EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
(during operations).
Fleet
| Aircraft | Total | Routes | Registration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAC 1-11 | 1 | Short haul | G-YMRU | YMRU meaing Cymru Scrapped |
| BAC 1-11 | 1 | Short haul | G-WLAD | Scrapped |
| BAC 1-11 | 1 | Short haul | G-AXMU | Scrapped |
| Boeing 737-204 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
1 | Short-Medium haul | G-BAZI | Scrapped July 2006 whilst with LAN Express LAN Express LANexpress is an airline based in Santiago, Chile. It is Chile's second airline, as a subsidiary of LAN Airlines, and operates some and a few international routes for its parent. The brand was merged into LAN Airlines in 2004, but LAN Airlines still operate some domestic flights using the code of... as CC-CSP |
| Boeing 737-3Q8 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
1 | Short-Medium haul | G-PROC | Painted in Sunshine Scheme Now with Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,... as N663SW |
| Boeing 737-3Q8 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
1 | Short-Medium haul | G-PROK | Now with Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,... as N695SW |
| Boeing 737-3Q8 Boeing 737 The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers... |
1 | Short-Medium haul | G-BNCT | Leased from ILFC Now flying with Swiftair Swiftair Swiftair S.A. is an airline headquartered in Madrid, Spain. It operates scheduled and charter, passenger and cargo flights in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Its main base is Barajas International Airport, Madrid. -History:... as EC-KLR (Converted to Cargo) |