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https://worldairlinenews.com/2019/05/15 ... d-islands/May 15, 2019
Britten-Norman has two new BN2B-26 Islanders on its production line
for the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service (FIGAS) –
bringing the service’s fleet to a total of six Islanders by the time the second aircraft is delivered.
The investment, approved by the islands’ Government,
will be used to meet the Falklands’ increasing popularity as a tourist destination.
Passenger numbers have risen from 5,800 in 2011/12 to 8,800 in 2017/18 –
a trend that FIGAS expects to continue in the future.
The first of the two new aircraft will be delivered in the summer,
with the second scheduled for early 2020.
Both Islanders are in the commuter role,
equipped with the Gamin G600TXi avionics suite, System 55X Autopilot and Spidertracks.
Britten-Norman’s team of expert avionics engineers
will deliver Garmin Avionics Training in the Falklands upon the first aircraft’s arrival.
FIGAS has operated Islanders since October 1979.
The service has gradually evolved from air ambulance and mail service in 1948
to passengers, freight, fishery patrol and scenic flights, with tourists and local passengers making up most of the traffic.
The Islander’s performance as a high-frequency and short-flight platform
makes it the ideal aircraft for hopping to almost 30 different airfields
located in the Falkland Islands’ East and West mainlands.
FIGAS currently operates five Britten-Norman BN-2B Islanders.
•VP-FBD entered service January 1986, passenger configuration
•VP-FBM entered service May 1989, passenger configuration
•VP-FBN entered service July 1990, passenger configuration
•VP-FBO entered service July 1990, maritime patrol configuration
•VP-FBR entered service March 1992, passenger configuration
All photos by FIGAS.
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