Islander aircraft production restarts on Isle of Wight
Manufacture of Britten-Norman’s Islander sub-regional aircraft has returned to the Isle of Wight after several decades, with the first unit set to be completed in May 2024.
It was announced in June that production of the Islander would be reshored to the UK for the first time since production moved to Romania in 1968. Britten-Norman has since invested in new jigs and tooling to create two additional production lines at its Bembridge headquarters.
According to the company, plans also include modernising production and decarbonising the site with new sustainable energy initiatives. A ribbon-cutting took place at an event on Thursday 21st September as the new production line at Bembridge was officially opened by Bob Seely, MP for the Isle of Wight.
"We are immensely proud to bring production back to the UK, where our manufacturing story began nearly seven decades ago,” William Hynett, chief executive of Britten-Norman said in a statement.
“This move underlines our dedication to the highest standards of quality, innovation, and the resurgence of British aerospace manufacturing. We look forward to a bright future as we continue to build world-class aircraft right here in the UK."
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