More talks, but no decision on future of Aurigny’s Embraer

The airline management has been vocal in its wish to move to having fewer types of aircraft, to simplify maintenance.

Currently it operates Dorniers to Alderney and ATRs and the Embraer to the UK and further afield.

In June, Aurigny said it had been hoped the jet’s future would be confirmed in August.

In July, it said it had been hoped a business case for selling the Embraer would be made in September.

But there has been little news from the airline.

‘Engagement with all stakeholders is ongoing,’ an Aurigny spokeswoman said.

‘It is imperative that the right decision is made that adequately balances the travel needs of the island, environmental considerations, financial implications, and impact on the operations of the company.’

The Embraer was custom-made for Aurigny and entered service in 2014. It is larger than the airline’s ATRs and can seat 122, compared with the ATRs 72.

But it has higher fuel costs per seat than the ATR and will need more maintenance as it ages.

But there has been good news on the fog-busting technology.

Installed on the three ATRs bought in 2019, it has taken time to get the system ready and the crews trained.

But the spokeswoman confirmed the system was now fully certified and activated.

‘We have not yet had conditions where it has been appropriate to use the system – once we do, we will communicate to the market.’