Historic aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has commenced the production of the Islander in the United Kingdom, marking the return of manufacturing to its home country after more than fifty years. The company had announced in June 2023 that it would repatriate the production of new aircraft to its base in Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight.
The Islander, whose variants have already amassed over 50 years of history, will now be manufactured in the United Kingdom. This marks the first time the aircraft has been built on British soil since production relocated to Romania in the late 1960s. The first Islander produced in the UK is expected to be ready by May 2024. The new production line was officially inaugurated by Bob Seely, a Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight.
Seely commented, “The return of the Islander to the Isle of Wight signifies a very important day in history, and I am delighted that Britten-Norman has decided to bring back the production line of its iconic aircraft to the place where it was first built. It is a strong vote of confidence in the future and a significant investment in our manufacturing base.”
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The company has plans to quadruple aircraft production by 2027. With this goal in mind, they have launched a personnel recruitment campaign. Job openings include positions such as assemblers and aircraft technicians, production engineers, and supply chain managers.
William Hynett, CEO of Britten-Norman, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that “this move underscores our commitment to the highest standards of quality, innovation, and the revival of British aerospace manufacturing.”
The Bembridge manufacturing site has been at the heart of Britten-Norman’s operations since the company’s inception. With this move, the manufacturer aims to enhance its production capabilities and supply chain efficiency. It is also expected to accelerate aircraft design innovations and manufacturing.
