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. History 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). Austria Salzburg – Salzburg Airport Canary Islands Gran Canaria – Gran Canaria Airport Tenerife – Tenerife South Airport France Paris – Orly Airport Germany Düsseldorf – Düsseldorf Airport Hanover – Hanover Airport Netherlands Rotterdam – Rotterdam Airport Italy Milan – Milan Malpensa Airport Portugal Faro – Faro Airport Spain Palma de Mallorca – Palma de Mallorca Airport Girona – Girona-Costa Brava Airport Switzerland Basel – EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Geneva – Geneva Cointrin Airport Scotland Aberdeen - Aberdeen Airport Edinburgh - Edinburgh Airport Glasgow - Glasgow Airport United Kingdom England Birmingham – Birmingham Airport Bristol – Bristol Airport Derby/Leicester/Nottingham – East Midlands Airport Exeter – Exeter Airport London – Gatwick Airport Southend – Southend Airport Wales Cardiff –