Aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman delivers first of two new planes to the Falkland Islands

Britten-Norman, which has a site in Lee-on-the-Solent, was commissioned by the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service (FIGAS).

It has delivered the first of two brand new BN2B-26 Islander aircraft, which will be used in a variety of roles, including to meet the Falkland Islands’ increasing popularity as a holiday destination.

The second Islander is scheduled for delivery in 2021.

FIGAS is Britten-Norman’s southern-most operator and has employed Islanders since the 1970s.

The current fleet of four Islanders serve in a variety of roles and are essential in keeping the Falklands and some of its more remote communities connected. In addition to commuting flights, regular missions include air ambulance, postal carrier, freight, environmental monitoring and scenic flights.

Grahame Stone, commercial director at Britten-Norman, said: ‘With such varied roles, FIGAS really put our Islanders through their paces. Britten-Norman is incredibly proud to be part of the Falkland Islands community. I am thrilled we have been able to deliver another aircraft to their growing fleet.’

Richard Hyslop, Falkland Islands government representative to the UK and Europe, said: ‘Britten-Norman’s Islanders are iconic. A real lifeline. We use them for everything from mobile polling stations to medevacs, tourists and people taking their animals to the vet, they are the real glue that keeps the Islands together.’

Kurt Whitney, quality manager at FIGAS, said: ‘The Falklands has an increasingly busy tourist season. In recent years we have seen passenger numbers rise from 5,800 to 8,800. Despite some initial Covid-19 disruption, we are confident this will keep on increasing.’

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The new Islander’s registration honours Sir Miles Clifford, whose name has been inscribed above the pilot’s door.

As governor of the Falkland Islands he was responsible for the launch of the air service in 1948.

The service was originally aimed at providing medical evacuation capabilities but it soon broadened to include mail delivery and passenger flight services.

These changes were key to connectivity between the communities of the Falklands and are vital roles Britten-Norman Islanders continue today.

Britten-Norman, the UK’s only sovereign commercial aircraft manufacturer, has designed and produced aircraft for more than 60 years.

It is based on the Isle of Wight but has civil aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities at Solent Airport (Daedalus), in Lee-on-the-Solent.

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