Aircraft Manufacturer Anticipates Easing of Parts Shortage

The manufacturer of ATR aircraft anticipates that the scarcity of spare parts for its planes will diminish in the coming year. Aurigny presently operates a fleet comprising four ATR 72 aircraft, with an additional one slated for delivery to Guernsey before the end of this year. The airline has experienced operational interruptions over the past year, attributed partly to a deficiency in spare parts stemming from supply chain challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Alexis Vidal, ATR’s chief commercial director, stated that the worldwide supply chain for components remained “lagging behind” but expressed optimism that “the situation would improve.” Mr. Vidal characterized 2024 as “an interesting year” for his firm, noting that “the market was still recovering from the pandemic.” He acknowledged that ATR had “globally had difficulties being as reactive as we would like to, sourcing parts.” He further commented, “The entire aviation sector has been impacted by the supply chain, which has had to ramp up since the pandemic. “We have to be ambitious and realistic at the same time”.” In response to a year of operational disturbances, the States Trading Supervisory Board (STSB) commissioned an assessment of the States-owned airline, incurring a cost of £65,000 for the States. This report is scheduled for release next week. The assessment is being conducted by two former British Airways employees and will examine the composition of the airline’s fleet along with corporate decisions made over the past year. Earlier in the current year, Aurigny divested its Embraer jet as part of its transition to an all-ATR aircraft fleet. While the company currently employs Dorniers for its Alderney route, the airline’s objective is to deploy ATRs on this route once the island’s airport undergoes expansion. Nevertheless, that particular project is presently suspended, having been deemed “unaffordable” by politicians. ATR has initiated the creation of a hybrid electric aircraft, which it aims to have certified beyond 2030. Mr. Vidal stated, “It’s called EVO and we believe this is the next step for aviation development and regional is where that development will start.” He further noted that the airline’s existing fleet of ATR 72s demonstrates exceptional fuel efficiency. He asserted, “Our aircraft delivers the best economics and lowest fuel burn of any regional airplane on the market.” He elaborated, “For example, an ATR on a regional sector will basically emit 45% less CO2 than a regional jet of a similar size. “It’s also the most accessible aircrafts, when it comes to launching from short runways, as there often is in islands”.”