Beacon Airlines [CN/BNU/RAYS]
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Beacon Air was a defunct ultra-low-cost airline that operated from 2000 to 2007, based at Cardiff Airport in Wales. The airline was established with the goal of providing budget-friendly air travel options across Europe. Beacon Air operated primarily within the United Kingdom and to several European destinations, targeting cost-conscious travelers looking for no-frills, affordable flights. Despite initial success, the airline struggled with financial challenges and operational difficulties, leading to its eventual cessation of operations in 2007. Beacon Air was known for its straightforward approach to air travel, offering minimal amenities and low fares, which were typical for low-cost carriers of the time.

Beacon Air was founded in 2000 by a group of Welsh investors seeking to create a homegrown alternative to the dominant low-cost carriers emerging in the UK and Europe. The airline's strategic goal was to capitalize on Cardiff Airport’s underutilized potential as a regional hub, providing affordable international connections.

Operations officially commenced in early 2001 with a single aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 registered as G-BJAC. This aircraft, configured in an all-economy layout to maximize seating capacity, became the workhorse of the airline's initial schedule. The 737-800 offered the flexibility and range needed to serve both short-haul and medium-haul routes across Europe.

Beacon Air's inaugural route was a four times weekly service between Cardiff (CWL) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), launched in March 2001. Amsterdam was selected for its popularity as both a business and leisure destination, and the route saw promising early uptake.