First UK-built Islander passes 75% completion at Bembridge, on schedule for delivery

Britten-Norman has confirmed that 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. The aircraft, contracted to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), will be the first to be delivered from the new Bembridge line. A second airframe is now nearing 25% complete on the line, and components for follow-on aircraft are already in manufacture.

The new production line at Bembridge marks the return of full civil Islander manufacturing to the United Kingdom. Previously, major assemblies were manufactured overseas before final assembly in the UK. Since announcing its reshoring programme, Britten-Norman has invested in state-of-the-art CNC equipment and grown its workforce by more than 40%.

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.

Richard Milne, Chief Operating Officer at Britten-Norman commented: “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. 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 programme, 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.