Aurigny, in line with its five-year strategy to operate a more streamlined and efficient service consisting primarily of ATR 72-600 aircraft, has received approval from the States to initiate the project.
Aurigny currently owns one Embraer 195 jet; the project would likely see its sale to make room for two additional leased ATR 72s.
Since its purchase in 2014, the Embraer has provided increased capacity on the London Gatwick route, the airline’s busiest, and enabled trials of services to various European destinations. However, as Aurigny strives to enhance the efficiency and reliability of its service, consistently operating the same aircraft type is a crucial step forward.
Replacing the jet with two additional ATR 72 aircraft will streamline the use of maintenance equipment and the supply of spare parts, resulting in fewer disruptions to the schedule. It would also eliminate the need for Aurigny to maintain a roster of pilots and technicians qualified to operate two different types of aircraft. Aurigny confirms no redundancies will be made, and all staff will have the opportunity to retrain on ATR aircraft.
Operating a standardised fleet simplifies the process of replacing a grounded aircraft with a standby plane, as the passenger numbers are always the same. With turboprop aircraft, such as the ATR 72s, being more suited to the shorter routes operated by Aurigny, it will also reduce fuel usage per passenger. Turboprops are also recognised as more environmentally friendly, so airport emissions charges, such as those at Gatwick, will be less costly.
Nico Bezuidenhout (pictured), CEO of Aurigny Air Services, said: “This project will allow us to rebalance our fleet. Providing customers with the most reliable service possible has always been our priority and we are confident that having a fleet made up of ATR 72s is the most efficient way to do this.
“This project marks the beginning of a significant push towards running a more cost-effective and efficient airline, which will inevitably have a positive impact on the overall experience of our customers. This is an exciting time for Aurigny, and we are all looking forward to seeing the benefits this will bring.”
While an Embraer 195 has a higher passenger capacity than an ATR 72, the overall passenger capacity for the airline will not be reduced. All European routes currently offered by Aurigny will still be able to operate as they are within the 1,023-mile range of ATR 72 aircraft.
“We plan to have more daily flights to London, going from the current six to nine,” said Mr Bezuidenhout. “We will also have flexibility to run regular flights to Paris, Manchester and Dublin and continue serving a range of popular European destinations. Many of these destinations are within the ideal range of an ATR 72, but should a jet aircraft be more appropriate, we still have the option to charter one whenever needed.”
The project will improve Aurigny’s reliability, increase the destinations served, and offer one of the most fuel-efficient short-haul fleets with a simplified ATR 72-600 fleet serving its non-Alderney destinations. Consuming 36% less fuel per passenger on the route between Guernsey and Gatwick compared to a jet aircraft, ATR operations will substantially reduce the airline’s carbon emissions.
Aurigny cannot provide a specific timeline for the completion of project plans due to commercial reasons. However, the transition is expected to conclude in 2024.
