Britten-Norman has begun ground testing the first Islander aircraft that has been built in the UK since returning full production to Great Britain from overseas.
On August 26, 2026, Britten Norman said the aircraft rolled out at the company’s Isle of Wight facility on July 30, 2026, after electrical power was successfully applied for the first time.
The first aircraft will be delivered to Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) following completion of flight testing which is scheduled to begin in September 2026.
“The roll-out of this aircraft is a hugely significant moment for the whole Britten-Norman team, and we want to share it,” Richard Milne, CCO at Britten-Norman, said. “To see the first Islander from our repatriated UK production line come together, from producing and sourcing the many parts to roll-out, is testament to the skill and commitment of everyone at Bembridge.”
On June 8, 2026, Britten-Norman confirmed that the first new Islander to be produced through its fully reshored UK production line had reached 75% structural completion.
Before roll out the Britten-Norman team installed the aircraft’s engines, propellers, cowlings, electrical systems, brakes and flight control surfaces and mechanisms.
In June 2026, Britten-Norman said a second airframe was nearly 25% complete. In the latest update, the company said the second airframe is “progressing through the line” and “components for follow-on aircraft are in manufacture”.
Britten-Norman highlights Islander’s “proven track record of 50 years of service life” and praises the aircraft’s “low operating costs, rugged reliability and unmatched short-strip performance”.
Commenting on the progression, Duane Stewart, General Manager of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service, said he was “delighted to see this new aircraft taking shape”.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Britten-Norman for their continued support and the strong relationship we have built over the decades,” Stewart added. “This new Islander will be a valuable addition to the FIGAS fleet and help us continue providing an essential service to our community for years to come.”
The production of the aircraft began in 1967. However, less than a year later, the manufacturing was moved to Romania to keep up with production costs and demand.
In June 2023, Britten-Norman announced that the Islander would once again be manufactured in Bembridge, due to rising costs in Romania.
