Having brought its first turboprop, a Super King Air 200, into AOC operation recently FlyWales is immediately on the look-out for a second. The Haverfordwest-based company has operated Piper PA31 Navajo and Chieftain aircraft, along with Cessna 172s, for well over a decade and reports that there is still good demand for the piston workhorses. However, md Jonathan Rees says that adding the King Air to the fleet is allowing FlyWales to offer clients and brokers a greater choice: "The number of requests for the King Air has prompted us, and the demand so far has well exceeded all expectations."

In particular, requests for medical repatriation flights from within Europe have been significant, and this has spurred FlyWales to start the search for a second Super King Air 200. Clients who have travelled on the King Air aircraft have all responded positively and are extremely satisfied with its comfort and speed, the company says.

Chief pilot Captain Gwyndaf Williams, who has been with the company since its formation 15 years ago, says: "This is a natural progression for the company. FlyWales has been operating Piper PA31 piston unpressurised aircraft, and previously Seneca aircraft successfully for many years and the acquisition of a turboprop pressurised aircraft has proved, without doubt, to be the right decision for the company. The success of FlyWales has been attributed to continually providing a first class service including 24/7 operations from our base at Haverfordwest."