MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands, good news for FIGAS, next NB Islander scheduled to be “delivered in coming weeks”

The aircraft, contracted to FIGAS, will be the first to be delivered from the new Bembridge line. A second airframe is now nearing 25% completion

Falkland Islands Government Air Service, FIGAS, Britten-Norman has confirmed that the first new Islander to be produced through its fully reshored UK production line has reached 75% completion at the company’s Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, with final assembly scheduled in the coming weeks.

Since reaching 50% completion earlier this year, the build has advanced across every major area. Fuselage sub-assemblies and fin were joined at the end of Q1, fuel tank tests were completed, and the 15-metre wing assembly has been completed and attached to the fuselage. The airframe has been re-positioned on the production line, with installation of the undercarriage, engines, flight control surfaces and remaining systems well underway. 

“Reaching the current level of completion is an excellent achievement for our team and a clear demonstration of the capability we have built at the Bembridge site,” said Richard Milne, Chief Operating Officer at Britten-Norman. “Each milestone and stage of completion brings us closer to delivering brand-new, British-built Islanders for our customers. The dedication and quality of work achieved by our team is outstanding.” 

Beyond the aircraft now in production, Britten-Norman has Letters of Intent in place with operators across the regional passenger and special-mission sectors. Alongside the new-build program, the company is investing in aftermarket parts availability and service to support a worldwide fleet of in-service Islanders. With the first aircraft in advanced build, the second airframe on the line and components for follow-on aircraft in manufacture, Britten-Norman is establishing a continuous UK production cadence and is on track to deliver the first new UK-built Islander to the customer as planned. 

FIGAS is a longtime client (since 1979) of Britten’Norman and operates a fleet of five BN-2B Islander aircraft. Four aircraft are dedicated to daily commuter flights and 'air-taxi' services between Stanley and about 30 different local airstrips. An additional aircraft is fully dedicated to maritime patrol and fisheries surveillance. Likewise the Islanders are frequently used for air ambulances, postal and freight delivery, veterinary transport, and tourism scenic flights.