Malta-based SJC Group have signed a Letter of Intent with UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Normano acquire two factory-new Islander aircraft, with an option for a third to meet rising passenger demand.
SJC intends to use these aircraft to establish a new company focused on building a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, intended to be used as transport aircraft for routes in the Mediterranean, Europe, and North Africa. The aircraft’s low operating cost, STOL performance and high availability rates have made the Islander the ideal solution for Gulf Med Aviation Services’ opportunities.
The two aircraft will be amongst the first to be manufactured at Britten-Norman’s UK production facilities at Bembridge, Isle of Wight and Solent Airport Daedalus and will be supported from Britten-Norman’s Malta base.
Simon Camilleri, chairman, SJC Group said: “We are very pleased to announce our first order with Britten-Norman our neighbours at Safi Aviation Park. We are pleased to announce plans for a new Maltese-owned aviation business. Britten-Norman are great partners and have proven market-leading aircraft in the STOL space with over 50 years of experience. Their commitment to evolving their product to zero carbon is perfectly aligned with our vision.”
“Having made a commitment to develop our own operations in Malta, we are really pleased to have been introduced to SJC Group and are looking forward to working in close partnership to support their plans,” commented William Hynett, chief executive, Britten-Norman. “The Islander is the ideal aircraft to complement SJC Group’s expansion into fixed-wing operations and our planned introduction of the hydrogen Islander will further assist in supporting SJC Group to deliver sustainable aviation to Malta and the Mediterranean.”
The Islander has operated successfully around the islands of Malta and Gozo for a number of years as a patrol aircraft for the Maltese Government providing service for search and rescue operations around the island group’s 200 miles of coastline.