Starling trims seats for first Islander from Britten-Norman's reshored Bembridge line

UK aircraft interiors specialist, Starling Aerospace, has delivered the fully trimmed crew and passenger seating for aircraft 2317, the first Britten-Norman Islander built in the UK from detail component level at the manufacturer's reshored production line at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.

From 1968, Islander airframes were built in Bucharest and brought to the Isle of Wight for fit out, customisation and certification, with the design, type certificate and production control held in the UK throughout. With aircraft 2317, the detail parts are made, and the airframe is assembled at Bembridge as well.

As an approved line-fit (new build) and refurbishment provider for Britten-Norman, Starling built-up and trimmed the first shipset of passenger and crew seats, including foams and covers. Starling provides the design data and supporting certification evidence for Britten-Norman to provide the final certification.

Coralie Wigg, co-founder and director of Starling Aerospace, said:

"It is a real privilege for Starling Aerospace to play a part in this important chapter for Britten-Norman and British manufacturing. The Islander is an iconic aircraft, and seeing it built from detail component level on the Isle of Wight is a significant moment for the industry."

"The seats may be a small part of the finished aircraft, but they are an essential contributor to both crew and passenger safety and comfort. We are therefore delighted to have delivered these seats and to support Britten-Norman as this aircraft moves towards delivery with additional aircraft to follow as production ramps up."

Aircraft 2317 was rolled out at Bembridge on 30 July 2026 and made its first flight on 3 September 2026, from the same Isle of Wight runway the Islander prototype used in 1965. It is now in flight test ahead of delivery to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) and will be the first aircraft delivered from the reshored Bembridge line.

Plans to bring Islander airframe manufacture back to Bembridge were developed in 2017 and the programme was formally launched in 2023. It has been supported by investment in CNC machine tools, tooling and facilities, and by a workforce that has grown from around 100 people in 2024 to around 180 today. A second airframe is progressing through the Bembridge line and components for the aircraft behind it are already in manufacture.