Aurigny’s third and final new ATR has arrived in Guernsey.
Equipped with ‘fog-busting’ technology, the aircraft also sports the registration G-ORAI in honour of the island’s local rugby team, Guernsey Raiders.
The new plane is of special importance to Aurigny ATR Captain Fiona Power, who plays for the Guernsey Raiders women’s team: ‘To be able to fly on an aircraft named after our rugby team is going to be really special but to captain the aircraft honouring the team I play for will be a real privilege.’
A competition and public vote is the reason the new plane is registered in honour of the rugby team, who have a men’s team, women’s squad and an academy.
‘We are delighted to see the new aircraft G-ORAI come into service. Through our men’s, ladies’ and academy sides, we have taken thousands of flights with Aurigny and have built up a fantastic relationship with them over the years,’ said Chris Gnapp, director of Guernsey Raiders.
‘Now having a plane named after the Raiders further cements that relationship and we’d like to thank all involved at Aurigny for making that happen. The men’s side looks forward to using it for the first time on Saturday for their away game against Tunbridge Wells.’
The latest arrival is not the only change to the ATR fleet. G-COBO, one of the older ATR 72-500s, is due to fly to Toulouse ahead of its sale, and G-VZON will soon fly down to Grand Canaria and have its pre-sale check.
G-HUET will finish commercial flying for Aurigny at the end of February, but G-LERE will remain with the fleet until its lease ends in November 2021.
Pictured L-R: Chris Gnapp, Fiona Power and Jordan Reynolds of Guernsey Raiders.
