| Islander | |
|---|---|
 A Winair Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility aircraft/airliner |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Britten-Norman |
| Designer | John Britten, Desmond Norman |
| Status | Active service |
| Number built | 1,280 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1965–present |
| First flight | 13 June 1965 |
| Variants | Britten-Norman Defender |
| Developed into | Britten-Norman Trislander |
The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a British light utility aircraft and regional airliner designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. Still in production, the Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in the 1960s, over 750 are still in service with commercial operators around the world. The aircraft is a light transport with over 30 military aviation operators around the world.
Initial aircraft were manufactured at Britten-Norman's factory in Bembridge, Isle of Wight, UK. After Fairey Aviation acquired the Britten-Norman company, its Islanders and Trislander aircraft were built in Romania, then shipped to Avions Fairey in Belgium for finishing before being flown to the UK for flight certification. The Islander has been in production for more than 50 years.
In September 2023, it was announced that production of the Islander has returned to the UK, after fifty-five years of manufacturing abroad. Several countries made Letters of Intent to buy Islanders, creating new jobs and possibly a new hangar. [1]
- ^ Toogood, Darren. "BACK TO BRITAIN FOR BRITTEN-NORMAN AS PRODUCTION OF ICONIC ISLANDER RETURNS TO BEMBRIDGE". islandecho.co.uk. Island Echo. Retrieved 24 September 2023.