Spirit Air and Britten-Norman Reach Agreement for Six New-Model Islander Aircraft
India’s Spirit Air, a domestic commuter airline, has taken a significant step towards expanding its fleet by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) with UK-based aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman. The LOI outlines the purchase of six brand-new BN2T-4S turboprop Islander aircraft, the largest variant of the Islander model, powered by twin Rolls-Royce (Allison) Model 250 turboprop engines.
One of the notable features of the new BN2T-4S model is its extended cabin, which allows for an additional row of seats, making it more spacious compared to the standard piston Islander. Britten-Norman boasts that the aircraft’s engines provide an impressive 400shp (flat rated), resulting in a 22% increase in disposable payload while maintaining exceptional short-field performance.
The BN2T-4S aircraft are fully equipped with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability, including FIKI (flight into known icing) certification. The cockpit comes equipped with the latest Garmin avionics, including Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi-Function Display (MFD), and electronic engine instrumentation. The interior and seating will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of Spirit Air’s customers.
Already holding type certification with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since late 2022 and recent validation in New Zealand, the BN2T-4S is currently in the validation process in India and other countries. Britten-Norman’s technical director and head of design, Mark Shipp, highlighted the aircraft’s suitability for operating in remote and semi-prepared locations, making it an excellent choice for regional operations in India and the surrounding areas.
Spirit Air’s managing partner, Capt. S. K. Verma, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Britten-Norman, making Spirit Air the first operator of the BN2T-4S variant. As the airline’s new fleet is being constructed at Britten-Norman’s newly established UK facility, Spirit Air will initially receive four fully factory refurbished BN2T-4S Islanders, facilitating its entry into service.
Once operational, Spirit Air plans to deploy its fleet of BN2T-4S Islander aircraft on scheduled passenger services, providing crucial sub-regional connectivity between remote grass airstrips and municipal sub-regional landing strips, as well as key primary airports in India.
Capt. S. K. Verma emphasized the airline’s commitment to connecting people and places, particularly in India’s districts, even in challenging conditions. The BN2T-4S Islander aircraft is expected to play a pivotal role in Spirit Air’s operations, offering reliable and efficient transportation options for commuters traveling to and from short, grass airfields. The aircraft’s history of successful use by the Indian Navy from 1984 to 1999 further adds to its appeal for Spirit Air’s regional operations.