Aurigny Borrows A Small Plane From The Isles Of Scilly

Isles of Scilly Skybus is down by one aircraft as one of the fleet’s Twin Otters has been drafted to support an Aurigny Air Services route. Guernsey-based Aurigny had to borrow the plane for its Alderney air routes due to one of its Dornier Do-228-200s undergoing maintenance.

The aircraft coming from Isles of Scilly Skybus is a Twin Otter registered G-CEWM. Photo: Isles of Scilly Skybus

G-CEWM chosen for the mission

According to the BBC, an aircraft from the Isles of Scilly Skybus fleet has been drafted to cover for an Aurigny aircraft while it undergoes maintenance. The Skybus aircraft, a Twin Otter, will operate Aurigny’s Alderney routes.

Temporarily out of commission and undergoing routine maintenance is one of Aurigny’s Dornier Do-228-200s, of which the airline has three. In its place is the De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter registered G-CEWM.

Since yesterday, November 25th, the aircraft has been operating a number of Aurigny routes, with data from RadarBox.com showing the following flights completed by the Twin Otter:

• GR202
• GR501
• GR502
• GR505
• GR506

Aurigny tells the BBC that the Isles of Scilly Skybus plane would be used until the completion of the Dornier’s scheduled maintenance.

The Skybus Twin Otter replaces one of Aurigny’s Dornier turboprops, pictured here. Photo: David Jones via Wikimedia Commons 

About the aircraft

The aircraft called upon to fill in at Aurigny Air Services is a De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, currently registered G-CEWM. The turboprop took its first flight in December 1979 and was initially registered as PZ-TCE to fly with South African carrier Surinam Airways.

The Twin Otter then spent some time with Desert Sand Aircraft Leasing, registered as N70551. It wasn’t until 2008 that the plane joined the fleet of Isles of Scilly Skybus. According to Planespotters.net, the 42-year-old aircraft had initially been configured with 20 seats but now only seats 19.

The Skybus aircraft is now 42 years of age. Photo: Rob Hodgkins via Flickr 

Where do these airlines fly?

Both airlines connect mainland Britain to various islands located south of England in the English Channel and the Celtic Sea. Skybus has eight aircraft while Aurigny has seven (including a single 122-seat Embraer E190).

While two carriers and their small fleets of island-hopper aircraft have no overlap, both serve the city of Exeter.

The route map belonging to Aurigny Air Services. The carrier notably offers service to London Gatwick. Photo: Aurigny Air Services

While Skybus’ home base is Land’s End (LEQ), Aurigny’s hub is Guernsey (GCI). However, Aurigny also has bases located at Alderney Airport (ACI) and Jersey (JER).

Flying since 1984, Skybus operates routes to St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly, which is just a short 20-minute flight from Land’s End Airport or 30 minutes from Newquay and 60 minutes from Exeter. This allows for connections to regional services throughout the UK.

The small route map belonging to Skybus. Photo: Isles of Scilly Skybus

Have you ever flown with either of these airlines? Which route did you fly, and on what aircraft? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment.

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