Britten-Norman to assemble first new Islander in ‘coming weeks’

Britten-Norman said installation of the undercarriage, engines, flight control surfaces and remaining systems is well underway.

Britten-Norman is set to begin final assembly of the first new Islander aircraft produced through its fully reshored UK production line in the “coming weeks”.

The company said the aircraft, which is being built at Britten-Norman’s Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, UK, is 75% complete. It is contracted to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) which placed an order for four Islanders in late 2024. 

Britten-Norman confirmed a second airframe is now nearing 25% complete, and components for follow-on aircraft are already in manufacture.

“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,” said Richard Milne, chief operating officer at Britten-Norman. “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.”

The new production line at Bembridge marks the return of full civil Islander manufacturing to the UK Previously, major assemblies were manufactured overseas before final assembly in the UK. Since actioning its reshoring programme, the company has grown its workforce by more than 40%.

After reaching 50% completion earlier this year, the build has advanced across every “major area”, said the company. Fuselage sub-assemblies and fin were joined at the end of the first quarter, fuel tank tests were completed and the 15m wing assembly has been attached to the fuselage.

Britten-Norman said the airframe has been re-positioned on the production line, with installation of the undercarriage, engines, flight control surfaces and remaining systems well underway.

The OEM has letters of intent in place with operators across the regional passenger and special-mission sectors, including a 15 aircraft deal signed in January 2025 with German company Evia Aero, which plans to convert them to hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion.

Alongside the new-build programme, Britten-Norman is investing in aftermarket parts availability and service support.