+ Britten-Norman problems

According to the Isle of Wight Island Echo website the UK’s oldest aircraft manufacturer is about to call in a receiver.

Britten-Norman was established by John Britten and Desmond Norman in 1954 to produce a rugged and simple utility ten-seat aircraft that could be used anywhere in the world.  Over 1,300 have been built, mainly in Romania, but in September the company announced the return of production to its historical home at Bembridge on the island.

In recent times Travel News Update and Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Ginsberg has followed the fortunes of the company.  

Lara Harrison, Business Development Director for Britten-Norman, has this week said: “In support of the company’s future plans, especially with regard to the repatriation of aircraft manufacturing to the UK as announced last September, the board has appointed advisors to assist in exploring options to secure the necessary additional investment.

“While the board continues to engage in constructive discussions with the company’s key stakeholders, it has taken a decision to file court documents that will protect the position of the business.

“This will allow the board to focus on achieving the correct structure for any proposed new investment.  Subject to a satisfactory conclusion of the process, the board is looking forward to following up with a further announcement in the coming week”.

See TNU for more background.

www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/398

www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/article/378

https://britten-norman.com

www.islandecho.co.uk/staff-await-news-as-britten-norman-aircraft-looks-to-appoint-administrator

On 15 November 2023 an announcement was made that a team of UK companies led by Stratospheric Platforms Ltd (SPL), a non-terrestrial networks (NTN) telecoms developer, had won a significant contract trialling advanced airborne 5G connectivity from a Britten-Norman Islander. Bembridge Airport can be seen on the right.

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READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

Anne Black, Cowes, IOW

Resident here on the Isle of Wight I was saddened to learn of BN problems, after the announcement that aircraft assembly was to be re-started. Let us hope for some good news in the coming weeks.

David Starkie, United Kingdom

Let us hope this is a 'technical' manoeuvre to fend of debt owed, I understand, to the CAA. If mainframe production is returned (I thought it already had been), it will be the UKs only 'aircraft' manufacturer of the World's oldest, continually produced, commercial aircraft.