Dornier flying away as Aurigny begins "simplifying" fleet

Friday 03 September 2021

Aurigny has sold one of its Dorniers as it begins to "simplify" its fleet.

One of the Guernsey-owned airline's 228 ‘Classic’ aircraft has been sold to UK Government-backed ZeroAvia.

Commenting on the sale, Aurigny CEO Nico Bezuidenhout said it “represents an important first step in simplifying the Aurigny fleet.” 

It means the airline is now down to two Dornier 228NG aircraft in its fleet operating routes from Alderney to Guernsey and Southampton.

Aurigny is in the early stages of investigating whether the airline would be able to use its ATRs to service the Alderney route if the island's runway were to be extended. Low level approaches took place in July without landing, to help test the viability of a longer runway.

Based at Kemble Airport in England, ZeroAvia will use the aircraft for research as it progresses towards developing a 19-seat hydrogen-electric powered aircraft. The aircraft will have hydrogen fuel tanks designed to ultimately contain 100kg of compressed gaseous hydrogen, providing an expected 500-mile range. 

Mr Bezuidenhout added: “ZeroAvia’s 19-seat initiative  seeks to decarbonise existing regional services and  expand the reach of regional aviation by ultimately reducing operating costs.”