ABOVE: The first Islander built entirely on Britten-Norman’s newly reshored UK production line will go to the Falkland Islands Government
Britten-Norman said in June that the first Islander built entirely on its newly reshored UK production line has reached 75% completion. The aircraft is being assembled at its Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, and final assembly is expected in the coming weeks.
The aircraft is destined for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service and will be the first delivered from the new Bembridge line. A second airframe is nearly 25% complete, and parts for further aircraft are already in production.
The line marks the return of full civil Islander manufacturing to the UK, after major assemblies were previously built overseas before final assembly at home. Since launching its reshoring programme, Britten-Norman has invested in new machinery and grown its workforce by more than 40%. The company also says it holds letters of intent from operators in the regional passenger and special-mission sectors.
PHOTO: Britten-Norman
