Plane delivered as Aurigny simplifies fleet

The ATR will be operated in a red and white colour scheme before Aurigny’s livery is applied later this year

Aurigny has taken delivery of a fourth plane from manufacturer ATR as it aims to simplify its fleet from September and make the airline more reliable and cost effective.

The airline sold its only jet earlier in July as part of a transition to ATR aircraft which it said were better suited to Guernsey's shorter flight times.

The 10-year-old ATR was delivered on 19 July by Jetstream, a Miami-based company that leases aircraft.

Aurigny CEO Nico Bezuidenhout said the addition to the fleet was a positive step toward providing customers with "the most resilient and reliable service possible".

The aircraft will have a safety inspection by the end of the month, as required by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Once complete it will be registered as as G-PEMB in honour of Guernsey’s Pembroke beach.

It will join the existing Aurigny ATR fleet, G-ORAI, named after Guernsey Raiders, G-OGFC named after Guernsey Football club and G-OATR the first new ATR received.

Mr Bezuidenhout said the decision to lease rather than own the aircraft was made so the airline achieves "a better mix of assets" as called for by its shareholder-approved strategy.

The strategy, which has been approved by the States, aims is to make the firm more reliable and cost-effective.

He added he looked forward to "fostering a strong relationship with Jetstream" an established aircraft leasing company.