Aurigny, the Best Short-Haul Airline as voted by Which? readers, is taking delivery of its first jet to protect vital lifeline routes between Guernsey and London Gatwick.

With the loss of a significant share of the available seats on the Guernsey to London Gatwick route following Flybe's withdrawal from Gatwick, Aurigny was requested by the international finance centre's government to look at how it could replace the lost capacity.

Guernsey, which is just a 35-minute flight from London, has been a key player among global finance centres for many years. Its continuing development would have been thrown into doubt if the capacity could not be replaced on this vital link to the City.

The answer was for Aurigny to purchase a jet aircraft with the largest ever number of seats to operate on the route, a 122-seat Embraer E195, which arrives in the island at the beginning of July.

 'This is a big step forward for the airline and for the island,' says Mark Darby, Aurigny's Chief Executive. 'For an island community of around 65,000 people to have its own E195 as well as a fleet of ATRs speaks volumes for the importance of Aurigny maintaining our business links with London and how far we are prepared to go to protect them.

'It is a significant investment for us but it is extremely important for the prosperity of the island that both our business and tourism sectors have sufficient capacity and frequency on this route.

'The aircraft was built in Brazil,' continues Mark, 'but the bright yellow tail has nothing to do with their national team in the World Cup, as it has been the airline's livery colour for over 45 years. Aside from its colour, iconic puffin emblem, and Guernsey flags, the aircraft will be easily identifiable on the ground and in the air as its registration will be G-NSEY and “Aurigny” will be painted in large letters on the aircraft's underside.'

The new jet will operate daily on the following flights: London Gatwick Departures at 0830, 1150, 1600,1930 and Guernsey departures at 0700, 1020, 1430, 1800.

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Notes for Editors:

Technical details for the Embraer 190-200 (E195)

Number in Aurigny fleet: 1

Built:   Brazil

Passengers carried: 122

Range: 2,500 miles

Engines: CF34-10E5A1 20000lbs thrust

Maximum ceiling: 41000ft

Maximum take off weight: 48790kg

Max Operating Speed: Mach 0.82 TAS 456kts  IAS 320kts depending on altitude/ weight

For more information contact Jules Ugo or Amelia Astley Birtwistle at Lotus UK on jules/amelia@lotus-uk.co.uk or 0207 953 7470.