Plane rebuilt in Canada almost ready to operate

Aurigny said every aspect of the plane had been completely reworked

A Twin Otter aircraft has been rebuilt in Canada and is now an "as-new" plane to support Alderney's essential air services.

Under an agreement with airline Aurigny, the plane would offer flights to Alderney from Guernsey and Southampton and take passengers to the Isles of Scilly from Land's End, Newquay and Exeter.

The work on the plane was carried out by Rocky Mountain Aircraft, a Twin Otter specialist, and the aircraft was named G-NETS after Gannets Rock in Alderney.

Chris Roussel, chief technical officer executive at Aurigny, said the aircraft represented "an extraordinary achievement in engineering".

The plane was fitted with a lithium-ion battery system, which Aurigny said was the first for a UK registered Twin Otter.

Aurigny said the plane's systems were also rewired and fitted with a new navigation suite.

Other modifications included new fuselage panels and flooring, reconditioned and treated wings, corrosion protection and new landing gear legs, engines and propellers.

Mr Roussel said: "The quality of the build is exceptional, effectively creating an "as-new aircraft" which will serve our community for many years to come.

"The aircraft is going through final checks before the Aurigny livery is installed, and it will make its final journey to Guernsey in November."