In how many countries did the Islander fly?

Short answer

More than 120: in 2016 Britten-Norman stated that the Islander was in daily service with around 500 operators in more than 120 countries (2016 figure). Although designed in the 1960s, it remains in production and is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft built in Europe.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

In how many countries did the Islander fly?

Juist, Flugplatz, Britten-Norman Islander -- 2014 -- 3706Dietmar Rabich (CC BY SA), vía commons

A simple, inexpensive twin

In 1963 the company began development work on what would become the Islander, having spotted demand for a simple, inexpensive piston-engined twin. The first production Islander made its maiden flight on April 24, 1967, and British type certification followed in August of that same year. Immediately after it went on sale, American distributor Jonas Aircraft ordered 30 Islanders and within a year placed orders for a further 112 aircraft.

In service in more than 120 countries

In 2016, Britten-Norman stated that the Islander was in daily service with around 500 operators in more than 120 countries. By October 2019, there were 800 Islanders in service, of which around 600 were used on short flights. As a light transport, the type also counts more than 30 military aviation operators worldwide.

Still in production

Although it was designed in the 1960s, more than 750 examples remain in service with commercial operators worldwide. More than 500 units of the type were manufactured in Romania. The Islander remains in production and ranks among the best-selling commercial aircraft built in Europe.