The Raiders get their plane!

Wednesday 15 January 2020

Aurigny's third new ATR has arrived in the island, ready to be adorned with the Guernsey Raiders logo after a competition to name the new fleet which comes fitted with 'fog-busting technology'.

Registered as G-ORAI the plane will be ready to fly later this year, once the pilots have been trained to use the clear view system.

ATR Captain for Aurigny, Fiona Power, who also plays for the Raiders ladies' team, says the aircraft will be special for her.

“I have been with Aurigny for two years and love flying the ATR aircraft especially our new ones. As a player for Guernsey Raiders ladies I am particularly excited about this plane. To be able to fly on an aircraft named after our rugby team is going to be really special but to Captain the aircraft honouring the team I play for will be a real privilege.”

Chris Gnapp, Director of Guernsey Raiders said: "We are delighted to see the new aircraft G-ORAI come into service. Through our mens, Ladies and academy sides we have taken thousands of flights with Aurigny and  have built up a fantastic relationship with them over the years. Now having a plane named after the Raiders further cements that relationship and we’d like to thanks all involved at Aurigny for making that happen. The mens side look forward to using it for the first time on Saturday for their away game against Tunbridge Wells." 

Pictured: Aurigny's older ATRs are being sold off as the new fleet come into service. 

With the arrival of three new ATRs, Aurigny is selling its older planes. 

G-COBO, one of the older ATR 72-500s, has almost finished its pre-sale check and is due to fly to Toulouse next week to be painted white, meaning that any plane spotters will be able to notice it by its plain appearance, without any Aurigny branding, ahead of it being sold back to ATR.

Later this week G-VZON is due to fly down to Grand Canaria for its pre-sale check, prior to its sale to ATR.

G-HUET is due to finish commercial flying for Aurigny at the end of February before it goes for its base check ahead of its return to the leasing company, while G-LERE will remain with the fleet until its lease ends in November 2021.

Pictured l-r: Chris Gnapp, Fiona Power, Jordan Reynolds, all from Guernsey Raiders.