UK’s Air Alderney adds Trislander to fleet

Air Alderney has announced its first Trislander from Britten-Norman is scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The family-run startup in a social media announcement said the aircraft would arrive fully refurbished and operate alongside its sole existing aircraft, a BN-2 Islander.

The carrier would also launch scheduled services before the end of 2022, it said.

Managing Director Danny Brem-Wilson was not immediately available for comment.

Air Alderney launched charter operations on February 7, 2022, using the 35-year-old Islander, G-BLNI (msn 2188). It has been conducting charter flights between Alderney, Shoreham by Sea, London Biggin Hill, Lydd, Guernsey, and Jersey, FlightRadar24 ADS-B data shows.

First launched in 2017, Air Alderney – legally registered as Wessex Aviation Limited – was re-issued with an Operating License and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in late 2021. The company is based at the business travel airport of London Biggin Hill.

Guernsey’s Aurigny Air Services (GR, Guernsey) operates several daily flights between Alderney, Guernsey, and Southampton with two Do228 NGs as part of a Public Service Obligation (PSO).

The type of aircraft that can be used at Alderney is restricted due to the airport’s 870-metre long runway, which is due for general maintenance and renovation. As reported, Aurigny is considering switching to ATR72-600s on the route pending a feasibility study on the extension of the runway.