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Aurigny is set to sell its jet and lease two more ATR aircraft as part of plans to simplify its fleet.
The airline started operating the Embraer 195 jet in July 2014, but CEO Nico Bezuidenhout recently said that the jet’s future was being reviewed amid a desire to simplify Aurigny's fleet.
The transition to ATRs is now expected to be finished next year.
Mr Bezuidenhout said: “This project will allow us to rebalance our fleet.
"Providing customers with the most reliable service possible has always been our priority and we are confident that having a fleet made up of ATR 72s is the most efficient way to do this.
“This project marks the beginning of a significant push towards running a more cost-effective and efficient airline, which will inevitably have a positive impact on the overall experience of our customers.
"This is an exciting time for Aurigny, and we are all looking forward to seeing the benefits this will bring.”
WATCH: Aurigny currently has three ATR turboprop aircraft.
An Embraer 195 has a higher passenger capacity than an ATR 72, but Auringy said that the overall passenger capacity for the airline will not be reduced.
All European routes currently offered will still be able to operate as they are within the 1,023-mile range of ATR 72 aircraft.
Mr Bezuidenhout explained: “We plan to have more daily flights [from Guernsey] to London, going from the current six to nine.
“We will also have flexibility to run regular flights to Paris, Manchester and Dublin and continue serving a range of popular European destinations.
"Many of these destinations are within the ideal range of an ATR 72, but should a jet aircraft be more appropriate, we still have the option to charter one whenever needed.”
No redundancies will be made, and all staff will have the opportunity to retrain on ATR aircraft.
Auringy says that replacing the jet with two additional ATR 72 aircraft will streamline the use of maintenance equipment and the supply of spare parts, resulting in fewer disruptions to the schedule.
It would also eliminate the need for Aurigny to maintain a roster of pilots and technicians qualified to operate two different types of aircraft.
Operating a standardised fleet simplifies the process of replacing a grounded aircraft with a standby plane, as the passenger numbers are always the same.
With turboprop aircraft, such as the ATR 72s, being more suited to the shorter routes operated by Aurigny, it will also reduce fuel usage per passenger.
Turboprops are also recognised as more environmentally friendly, it says, so airport emissions charges, such as those at Gatwick, will be less costly.
ATRs consume 36% less fuel per passenger on the route between Guernsey and Gatwick compared to a jet aircraft.
One Embraer 195 jet, purchased in 2014. Capable of carrying 122 passengers.
Three ATR turboprop aircraft. These can carry 72 passengers and fly up to 1,023 miles (this covers all the routes currently on the European flight destinations, including Faro, Prague, Berlin and Ibiza).
Two Dornier 228s, purchased in 2017, serving the Guernsey to Alderney route.
Pictured top: Aurigny's Embraer jet in Gatwick.
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