TWO new BN2B-26 Islanders are on the production line at Britten-Norman thanks to an order from the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service (FIGAS).

It will bring the service’s fleet to a total of six Islanders.

The investment, approved by the islands’ government, will be used to meet the Falklands’ increasing popularity as a tourist destination.

Passenger numbers have risen from 5,800 in 2011/12 to 8,800 in 2017/18 – a trend that FIGAS expects to continue.

The first of the two new aircraft will be delivered in the summer, with the second scheduled for early 2020.

Both Islanders are in the commuter role, equipped with the Gamin G600TXi avionics suite, System 55X Autopilot and Spidertracks.

Britten-Norman’s team of expert avionics engineers will deliver Garmin avionics training in the Falklands on the first aircraft’s arrival.

Grahame Stone, Britten-Norman's aircraft commercial head, said: “Britten-Norman has long been part of the Falkland Islands community, supporting both visitors and the local community who rely on the FIGAS service every day.

"We are delighted to support its increased operations through the delivery of two new Islanders.

"Our recent investment in additional hangar space has increased new build line capacity and we look forward to adding this very welcome order to our delivery schedule.”

The Islander’s performance as a high-frequency and short-flight platform makes it the ideal aircraft for hopping to almost 30 different airfields located in the Falkland Islands’ east and west mainlands.