Sub-regional Australian carrier Torres Strait Air has announced that as part of its five-year expansion plan, it is to acquire ten new Britten-Norman Islander aircraft and an estimated cost of $25 million. [DD1] The carrier currently has an existing fleet of seven of the aircraft which form the backbone of the local community and its economy, operating vital sub-regional air transport services across Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula.
Britten-Norman recently announced the opening if its new facility at Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight in the UK and these will be some of the first aircraft off the new production line. All new Islander aircraft feature full IFR glass cockpit technology, all window seating, enlarged baggage access as standard, as well as a higher All Up Mass than earlier variants.
“Our commitment to this investment is for the people of Torres Strait and their future. The world is challenged with increasing Sea Levels, our Island Communities, our People’s homes, are at Sea Level, every effort must be made to offset Carbon Emission. We act now whilst continuing to provide the highest levels of Aviation Safety, Comfort, Efficiency, Reliability & affordability to our people and those who come to our pristine waters and beautiful Islands.”
Britten-Norman’s “Green Futures” scheme allows operators who have purchased directly from the OEM to trade in their aircraft for the manufacturer’s zero carbon Islander product when they become commercially available. The manufacturer’s “Green Futures” scheme will further enable the carrier to operate responsibly in the region driving a move towards net-zero eco-tourism. Based at Horn Island- Australia’s 10th largest International Airport and a major hub of Islander operations, the airline also holds cultural importance and is the first to be 100% indigenous Torres Strait Islander First Nation Australia owned. The company’s AOC also enables the operation of international flights between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
