Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Falkland Islands Government signs for BN2B-26 Islander aircraft

Aerospace

Falkland Islands Government signs for BN2B-26 Islander aircraft

The Falkland Islands Government has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Britten-Norman with a view to ordering four new BN2B-26 Islander aircraft at a total value of $9.75 million.

Above: A Britten-Norman Islander operated by the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service.
Courtesy Britten-Norman   

The new aircraft project is part of a plan to further modernise the fleet operated by the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service (FIGAS) as it marks 75 years of operations.

Advertisement
Leonardo

The order is in addition to two aircraft that FIGAS has already contracted Britten-Norman to build, the first of which is now in service. All of the new aircraft will be delivered from Britten-Norman’s UK based manufacturing line on the Isle of Wight, which the company launched in late 2023 after re-shoring from overseas.
 
FIGAS has been an integral part of Falkland life since 1948. Their existing fleet of five Islanders serve in a variety of roles and are essential in keeping the Falklands and its more remote communities connected. In addition to commuting flights, regular missions include air ambulance, postal carrier, freight, veterinary transport, environmental monitoring and increasingly popular scenic flights.
 
The BN2B-26 Islander is one of Britten-Norman’s rugged piston powered aircraft variants, which has been a stalwart of the FIGAS fleet due to its exceptional Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) capability across the range of terrain and challenging conditions of the Falklands. The long-term durability of the aircraft type has been proven beyond doubt over the six decades that FIGAS has operated its fleet of Islanders.
 
The decision to select new Islanders as a replacement for FIGAS’s existing, older Islander fleet is in part down to an assessment by the team as to what aircraft best suits the tough operating conditions in the Falkland Islands, where durability and reliability are key factors in the operator’s long-term success. Refinements in the aircraft in recent years also played a part in the decision.
 
This order is of great importance to Britten-Norman, as it marks its own 70th anniversary and comes as the company commences a ramp up of its production output from its UK facility, where new aircraft production is set to grow fourfold over the next two to three years.

New aircraft manufacturing sits at the core of Britten-Norman’s impressive growth plans as it expands to meet the regional aircraft market surge, the company seeks to reinvest profits from these early sales to drive further investment in continuous improvement as well as ongoing product development in its ‘Green Futures Initiative’, where the company seeks to improve environmental characteristics of its aircraft and reduce carbon emissions.
 
William Hynett, Chief Executive at Britten-Norman, commented: “We are so pleased to have such an incredible opportunity to build a new chapter in our long-standing relationship with the Falkland Islands Government and to continue to support the communities of these important islands.

Advertisement
Leonardo

"Our relationship with FIGAS is an exemplar of the benefits that can be achieved in private / public sector cooperation. As one of our most valued long-term partners, we rely on crucial feedback from FIGAS and work hard to use this knowledge to further refine our products and services.”

Intelliconnect strengthens management team

Aerospace Defence

Intelliconnect strengthens management team

17 September 2025

RF and Cryogenic interconnect solutions specialist Intelliconnect (Europe), has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Yiannis Metallinos as Managing Director and Gary Langridge as Engineering Manager.

Getac launches UX10 and UX10-IP rugged tablets

Aerospace Defence Security

Getac launches UX10 and UX10-IP rugged tablets

17 September 2025

Getac has announced the launch of its next generation UX10 and UX10-IP fully rugged tablets.

Smith Myers to supply ARTEMIS Systems to Airbus Helicopters

Aerospace Defence

Smith Myers to supply ARTEMIS Systems to Airbus Helicopters

16 September 2025

Smith Myers has secured a major contract with Airbus Helicopters, under the framework of which ARTEMIS Mobile Phone Detection and Location Systems (MPDLS) will be factory-fitted and offered as a retrofit option across Airbus Helicopters' fleet of aircraft.

Britten-Norman Islander production reaches key milestone

Aerospace

Britten-Norman Islander production reaches key milestone

16 September 2025

Britten-Norman, manufacturer of the Islander aircraft, has reached a major milestone in its programme to bring full aircraft production to its Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, UK.

Advertisement
Amentum rectangle
TEKEVER reveals its largest UK site todate

Aerospace Defence

TEKEVER reveals its largest UK site todate

15 September 2025

TEKEVER has announced a new manufacturing facility in The Spectrum Building, a historic, Grade II-listed architectural icon designed by Sir Norman Foster, completed in 1982 and featured in James Bond film 'A View to a Kill' in 1984.

CBI offers support for Stansted’s growth plans

Aerospace

CBI offers support for Stansted’s growth plans

15 September 2025

Members of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) visited London Stansted to see first-hand the airport’s role in driving regional economic growth and to offer their support for its plans to raise its passenger cap from 43 to 51 million a year, without increasing the number of flights beyond current permissions.

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle