Dornier 228 OEM RUAG Aviation has received a new order from Guernsey’s flag carrier airline Aurigny Air Services Ltd. for a second Dornier 228 aircraft, following the on-schedule delivery of the first aircraft at the end of last year.

Aurigny is currently in the process of replacing its Trislander fleet, which is set to be fully retired over the course of 2016. The search for a replacement aircraft began some years ago, with the airline ultimately opting for RUAG Aviation’s Dornier 228 aircraft in November 2013. The aim is to operate a three-strong Dornier fleet comprising two new aircraft and one refurbished platform.

“Operating the Dornier 228 offers numerous advantages for Aurigny,” asserts Volker Wallrodt, Senior Vice President Business Jets, Do228 & Components at RUAG Aviation. He continues, “For passengers, the Dornier is much roomier, more comfortable, and considerably quieter, ensuring a superior flight experience. The aircraft is also well-suited to the particular challenges of flying routes to and from the Channel Islands, where weather conditions are notoriously challenging. Furthermore, Alderney’s airport, with its relatively short runway, is prone to strong crosswinds, making the Dornier’s short takeoff and landing (STOL) and 30-knot crosswind capabilities all the more important. On a logistics level, the increased speed of the 19-seater twin turboprop significantly shortens flight times, allowing Aurigny to operate an additional round trip per day.”

The sale of a second, new-production Dornier 228 aircraft is an important milestone towards RUAG Aviation’s goal of expanding its fleet-customer base and expanding serial production. As an OEM to the Dornier 228 RUAG Aviation offers additional aircraft conversion packages, for easy switching to/from passenger and cargo operations and for air ambulance configuration. RUAG Aviation is also a one-stop shop service provider, featuring solutions for extending an aircraft’s service life including MRO, cabin interiors, painting, and system upgrades. “In fact, thanks to RUAG’s proven capabilities in avionics and system integration, Aurigny’s latest new Dornier 228 aircraft will be the first to be fitted with a digital autopilot, developed by RUAG Aviation’s own engineering team,” explains Volker Wallrodt.

The second Dornier 228 aircraft is scheduled for delivery in summer 2017. Serial production is carried out in Oberpfaffenhofen, with the involvement of a number of RUAG Aviation’s other sites, reflecting the strong level of collaboration within the company. RUAG Aviation maintains regular contact with customers throughout the project, ensuring transparency and strengthening partnership.