A HAMPSHIRE-based aircraft manufacturer is in the departures lounge when it comes to the EU debate.

Britten-Norman, maker of the famous Islander and Trislander planes, says membership of the EU has helped wreck the British aviation industry.

In a statement issued this week the company, the UK’s only privately owned commercial aircraft manufacturer, said regulation favoured the major firms at the expense of small and medium sized companies.

The “Europeanisation” of aviation sector regulations could have been of benefit but the application of regulation was not standardised and many countries adopted a protectionist approach to their own aviation sectors. 

The Islander aircraft, for which Britten-Norman is best known, was originally designed and built at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. It has been in continuous manufacture since its maiden flight in 1965 and for over 45 years the base components of the aircraft have been built under sub contract in Romania. 

Britten-Norman’s chief executive, William Hynett, saidcommented: “Our success over the decades has come from selling a product that customers from around the world need. 

“The largest single threat to our business comes from EU directives and the other regulations imposed by its various institutions – these burdens are already forcing us to migrate part of our supply chain and some of our jobs outside the EU and we predict that this is a trend.”

To support the Brexit campaign, Britten-Norman is flying an Islander around the UK towing a Vote Leave banner.

Britten-Norman, founded 60 years ago, employs around 180 staff across three sites – a design office in Southampton, a factory at Lee-on-Solent and its customer support and components centre in Bembridge.