The 72 seater aircraft has been 'wet leased' by Aurigny to replace the Jump Air aircraft that is no longer being used by Guernsey's airline.

Information on Flight Radar 24 shows the ATR 72-500 is operated by Swift Air.

It left the Spanish capital at 05.40 this morning for the flight to Guernsey, landing at around 07.15 today (27 August).

Aurigny's website shows the aircraft, registered as EC-KKQ, will first operate today's 12.55 Guernsey to East Midlands.

In a message to passengers on Facebook, Aurigny says it expects to use the aircraft until mid October:

'The crew on board this aircraft is highly experienced, previously operating in the Azores and having also provided wet-lease capacity to Flybe. 

Bringing in a wet-lease provider involves a rigorous process of safety inspections, regulatory clearance, and permits.'

In aviation terms, a wet lease means that an airline pays for the aircraft, the crew to fly it and its maintenance and insurance.

Aurigny was due to take delivery of a 'dry' leased aircraft to take its fleet to five ATRs in September. Again on Facebook, it says this will happen in October, with the aircraft being registered as G-PBOT, standing for the south coast beach, Petit Bot.

The other aircraft that the airline was leasing, along with the crew to operate it, is no longer with Aurigny.

The Lithuanian Jump Air plane is now with the manufacturer in Toulouse, waiting for a landing gear to be replaced.

Aurigny says it will not comment on an incident in mid August being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, when the aircraft went below the guideline decision height into Guernsey Airport, in fog.

It performed a go around at 56 feet above the tarmac. This is when the captain decides that a landing is not viable and accelerates quickly into a climb.

Separately, the States Trading Supervisory Board, the sole shareholder in the government owned airline, has set out how it will review Aurigny's transition to an all ATR regional fleet and its ongoing reliability issues.

This will be in two parts. Firstly, a consultant will examine whether Aurigny has the right balance of aircraft, crew and back up to fly its schedule, including its lifeline Gatwick and Southampton routes.

Secondly, the review will assess the disposal of the Embraer jet and the transition to five ATRs, which is not yet complete.

The review is happening because of the reliability issues experienced by Aurigny since January 2024, during the still ongoing transition phase.