Guernsey's airline, Aurigny, sells its Embraer jet

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 07:55

The E195 will be used as a lease aircraft by airlines who operate similar aircraft.

The aircraft leasing company Azzora has bought the jet.

It has bases in Fort Lauderdale in Florida and in Dublin and leases out a variety of Embraers, plus Boeings and Airbus aircraft.

Its chief marketing officer, Michael Davis, says the jet will be a useful addition to its fleet:

“The E195 continues to be in high demand, and this opportunity to assist Aurigny is complementary to supporting the capacity needs of our existing Embraer customer base.”

Aurigny bought the Embraer exactly ten years ago, at a time when Flybe was running E195s from Guernsey to Gatwick and there were concerns that the London airport would sideline smaller, turboprop aircraft.

Nico Bezuidenhout, CEO of Aurigny, said the jet did a good job:

“The Embraer E195 is a very good aircraft that has served islanders and visitors well over the last decade. However, simplifying our fleet is essential for enhancing the sustainability and resilience of Guernsey’s air connectivity."

ATRs are more fuel efficient at lower altitudes, whereas on the Gatwick route, the Embraer was not able to be used at optimal height.

Aurigny is focusing its operation around the turboprop ATR72. It already owns three and plans to lease another two, taking the fleet to five by September, plus two Dorniers for the Alderney routes.