Britten-Norman to move aircraft production back to the UK

UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman has revealed plans to increase production rates and to repatriate aircraft production to its historic home in Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.

The move is a major change for the British SME, which has been manufacturing its aircraft in Eastern Europe since the late 1960s.

Britten-Norman will invest in new jigs and tooling to create two additional production lines as well as modernising production and decarbonising the site with new sustainable energy initiatives.

The investment is in preparation for intensified interest in the Islander following the planned launch of an OEM, zero-emissions Islander aircraft in 2026 as well as wider interest that has resulted from the introduction of finance and leasing options for the resurgent sub-regional aircraft market.

In the coming months the company will be embarking on a recruitment campaign, further boosting job creation in the UK’s Solent Local Enterprise Partnership area. The focus will include aircraft fitters and technicians, production engineering and supply chain roles. The expansion will also create new traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities on the Isle of Wight and in South Hampshire.

In addition to the ramp up in production, the company will be investing in its supply chain and spare parts stock holdings to support its existing operators.

“The project is a great success story for the British aircraft manufacturing industry. I am very proud to be involved in this next chapter at Britten-Norman” commented chief executive, William Hynett.

Britten-Norman will retain its 34,000ft² site at Solent Airport Daedalus, home of the final assembly line for the Islander. The site also provides OEM aircraft refurbishment, EASA Part 145 MRO services, international field servicing, and specialist avionics and mission systems integration. As a Garmin-approved dealer, the company offers services to the wider General Aviation community.

Britten-Norman is a world-leading sub-regional aircraft manufacturer specialising in twin-engine piston and turboprop STOL aircraft. The company is a UK-based SME, exporting 97% of circa 1,300 aircraft manufactured to date.

In April 2023, the company signed a deal with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions for a merger. A consortium of CAeS investors comprising HydrogenOne, Safran Corporate Ventures and the UAE-based investment firm Strategic Development Fund (SDF) will invest up to £10m in the new company, including up to £5m investment from HydrogenOne once the merger is finalised.

In addition to manufacturing the world-famous Islander aircraft and supporting its customers globally, Britten-Norman is a leader and innovator in the green aviation future-proofing air transport. The company’s R&D teams collaborate with pioneering technology innovators across all industries to help bring new technologies to market.

Britten-Norman
www.britten-norman.com