The charity has been using a temporary aircraft since its plane was written off in a crash on the north coast during a search in November 2015.
It had been hoped that a new Britten-Norman aircraft would be operational within months. But on Tuesday CIAS announced that there had been a major delay.
Explaining the setback, Simon Wade, production director at Britten-Norman, said: ‘I would like to express, to the community of the Channel Islands, Britten-Norman’s sincere regret for the delays experienced in the delivery of the new search and rescue Islander.
‘The aircraft, which has been designed in close partnership with CIAS, will incorporate some of the latest in enhanced technologies and will confirm CIAS’ reputation as an operator of the most sophisticated, yet economical and unique, fixed-wing airborne search and rescue aircraft in the world.
‘Installation of some of these complex systems has taken time to finalise in order to ensure that the product offered will provide optimum performance. The architecture has been designed as a bespoke fit-out for CIAS and requires extensive validation and verification prior to submission to the regulator for approval. Whilst the company has done everything possible to ensure that this important, life-saving aircraft is completed in the shortest timescale possible, programme delays have been unavoidable.
‘As a gesture of our immense goodwill to CIAS, and in recognition of the people of the Channel Islands whose personal generosity enabled this project, we have agreed with CIAS that we will cover any additional maintenance costs with the interim support aircraft until such time as the new aircraft is delivered. Britten-Norman has also undertaken, at its own expense, to enhance the interim aircraft role equipment fit. We remain committed to delivering the new aircraft at the very earliest opportunity.’
