Aurigny signs deal to buy new Dornier
AURIGNY has signed a deal with Swiss aircraft manufacturer RUAG Aviation for the purchase of a new production line Dornier 228NG.
Costing approximately £5m., the 19-seater aircraft will be used on the Alderney to Southampton and Alderney to Guernsey routes as well as Guernsey to Dinard.
'Aurigny carried out a detailed evaluation process to determine the best aircraft to replace the Trislander and the Dornier 228 was by far the most appropriate model for both the airline's requirements and passenger comfort,' said Aurigny chief executive officer Mark Darby.
'It is fast, with a maximum cruising speed of 234 knots (269mph) and will shorten the flight time on all routes, most significantly between Southampton and Alderney.
'It is purposely designed to take off and land on short runways and has good crosswind capability, making it ideal as an all-weather aircraft for the Alderney routes.'
The States agreed to provide loan finance for the aircraft at the April meeting.
