Aurigny’s fog-busting ATRs to be bought with $60m. RBSI loan
AURIGNY has agreed a multi-million pound 10-year loan deal which will allow it to take delivery of three new fog-busting ATR aircraft from August.
The loan from RBS International provides the airline with the significant capital needed to purchase the aircraft, which incorporate cutting-edge technology designed to reduce the disruption caused by fog.
Aurigny is scheduled to take delivery of the aircraft from Avions de Transport Regional GIE, in August, October and November this year.
In December, Policy & Resources authorised the financial guarantee to provide a $60m. loan for the deal.
Aurigny CEO Mark Darby said the new aircraft would make a significant difference both to their flight operations and to the people of Guernsey.
‘Aurigny plays a key role in assuring vital connectivity between Guernsey and the UK and Europe,’ he said.
‘The opportunity to modernise our fleet, allowing us to offer our customers the very latest standards of comfort whilst introducing technology that will minimise disruption to their travel, makes perfect sense,’
The airline will be the first to take delivery of aircraft featuring new Clearvision Enhanced Vision System technology, which delivers important operational improvements and is a first in commercial aviation.
ClearVision uses an external camera to display an augmented outside-view in real-time to a head-mounted visor worn by the pilot, significantly improving the pilot’s vision.
The technology could see a major change for the airline, which regularly has its flight operations affected by fog, leading to disruptions for passengers.
A study showed that an ATR equipped with the ClearVision EVS could have saved 50% of the disrupted landings in Guernsey, over the period of a year.
The technology should also enhance operations into other destinations served by Aurigny, as well as reduce ongoing maintenance costs as the aircraft are phased into the fleet.
ATR’s CEO, Stefano Bortoli, said: ‘ATR’s aim is always to develop solutions that will have genuine impact for our operators and also on the travel experience of their passengers.
‘Aurigny’s new ATRs, equipped with ClearVision, will reduce delays and cancellations for its passengers.
‘To have Aurigny as the launch customer for this technology is the perfect seal of approval for its effectiveness.
‘We are proud that our latest-generation ATRs equipped with this cutting-edge solution will provide improved connectivity for the people of Guernsey.’
RBS International island director Rob Girard said: ‘We were delighted to be chosen to work with Aurigny on this transaction, which represents a significant capital investment in updating their fleet.
‘The relationship team worked alongside colleagues in our credit and markets teams and delivered a funding solution in a very short timeframe, demonstrating our local ability to deliver for our clients.’
