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.
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 CorporationBAC 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.
In 1997, a Boeing 737-300 was leased to an American airline, SunCoast Airlines. Disagreements around the contract became a major issue for both airlines, after SunCoast Airlines claimed the plane was supposed to arrive in November, but was instead delivered in December without the paperwork needed to register with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).[1] Airways International Cymru attempted to repossess the plane by driving it off SunCoast property, but police intervention forced them to return it.[2] In January 1998, SunCoast filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[2][3]
Airways International Cymru claimed that SunCoast was late paying a $55,000 insurance deposit, causing the delay in the plane's delivery. They also believed that SunCoast was responsible for FAA registration. SunCoast was court ordered to return the plane, or resume payments.[2][1]
In early 1988, the airline's aircraft were repossessed by their lenders.
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Cardiff, Wales 
