A drop in reliability to below the UK average has forced Guernsey based airline Aurigny to lease two new ATR 72-600 aircraft in a bid to arrest the fall.
The airline, which is owned by the States of Guernsey, had previously been one of the UK’s most punctual airlines but a recent run of “technical” events has seen the airlines cancellations and delays increase.
Aurigny is in the process of changing to an all propeller fleet after deciding to ditch its Embraer E195 jet and has an optimistic network in place which is putting a stretch on its fleet meaning that technical issues such as unscheduled maintenance or failures can have a significant knock-on effect.
Nico Bezuidenhout, CEO of Aurigny said that the airline would always prioritise safety adding: “We have to prioritise getting passengers to their destinations as booked, even if that means in some instances delaying flights.”
Apologising to passengers for the recent drop in reliability he said the airline had a “clear plan in place”.
Aurigny operates a seven strong fleet consisting of three ATR 72’s along with three Dornier DO228s as well the soon to be retired E195 jet.
It operates from Guernsey to destinations including London Gatwick, Exeter, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, London City and Paris.