The States of Guernsey, the local legislature on the Channel island territory, has approved the purchase of three ATR72-600s by Aurigny Air Services (GR, Guernsey).
According to voting records, after a bitter debate about the benefit of adding the three new ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops, the vote carried with 23 votes in favour and 14 against.
The three ATR72s will cost around GBP46 million pounds (USD58 million) and will be equipped with the new ClearVision system. The carrier maintains that because of that, it will significantly reduce the number of irregularities due to fog, a frequent occurrence on Guernsey.
Some Deputies in the States argued that it would be more cost-efficient to upgrade the airport infrastructure to permit low-visibility operations.
CEO Mark Darby told ch-aviation earlier this year that, pending the approval of the States, the deliveries of the three -600s are scheduled for the third and fourth quarter of 2019. The aircraft will replace three -500s currently operated by Aurigny Air Services. The carrier also operates one ATR42-500, one E195, and four Do228s (including two NGs).
