World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
UK-built Islander aircraft arrives in the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands Government Air Service has received a new Islander aircraft in Stanley.
The aircraft, registered VP-FTS, was built at Britten-Norman’s facility on the Isle of Wight and is the first Islander assembled entirely in the UK.
Its delivery flight took almost three weeks, travelling from the UK via Iceland, Greenland, the United States and South America.
FIGAS has used Islander aircraft for more than 40 years because they suit the islands’ short runways and can carry passengers and freight.
The service connects remote settlements with passenger, mail and freight flights, as well as medical trips and other work.
The aircraft is expected to support these services, which the islands’ government describes as a vital link for its rural community.
The first Islander aircraft assembled entirely in the United Kingdom arrived in the Falkland Islands for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS).
The aircraft, VP-FTS, flew to Stanley from Punta Arenas, Chile, after a delivery flight of almost three weeks.
It was built at Britten-Norman’s Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, marking the return of full civil Islander manufacturing to the UK.
FIGAS has operated Islanders for more than four decades on passenger, freight, mail, medical and other flights.
- Who
- The Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) received the aircraft.
- What
- The first Islander assembled entirely in the UK arrived in the Falkland Islands.
- When
- Monday, November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Stanley, after a flight from Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Why
- It is for FIGAS operations; the service says Islanders suit its short runways and practical payload needs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The aircraft made its first flight.
It was handed over to FIGAS Chief Pilot Troyd Bowles.
It left the UK with ferry tanks for its delivery flight.
It arrived in Stanley from Punta Arenas after a delivery flight of almost three weeks.
- Aircraft
- VP-FTS
- Builder
- Britten-Norman
- Assembly site
- Bembridge facility, Isle of Wight
- Delivery route
- UK via Iceland, Greenland, the United States and South America
- Delivery flight
- Almost three weeks
What people are saying
Islanders remain the most suitable aircraft for FIGAS operations. They're well suited to our short runways, offer a practical payload, and are familiar to our crews and engineers,
a vital link for our Camp community