Aurigny aircraft grounded following tail strike incident

In Guernsey, a significant event occurred on April 15, 2025, when an Aurigny aircraft experienced a tail strike during landing. The incident took place under gusty weather conditions as one of the airline's flights was arriving at Guernsey Airport. As a result, the aircraft with the registration G-PEMB was taken out of service to assess the damage it sustained. This evaluation is being conducted by Aurigny's engineering team and their partners, with safety at the forefront of their efforts to determine the timeline for the aircraft's return to service. Following the tail strike, Aurigny spokespersons emphasized that no passengers were injured during the incident, which could have caused concerns among travelers and stakeholders alike. This occurrence marked a critical point for the airline, prompting management to initiate additional resilience measures amidst assessments of the damage. The spokesperson reiterated the airline's commitment to safety and reliability, expressing intent to maintain high service standards for customers while navigating this situation. Furthermore, the flight involved had been reported as having a harder than normal landing, attributed primarily to the challenging gusty conditions prevalent at that time. Such weather-related factors can introduce unpredictable variables during aviation operations, emphasizing the airlines' continuous need to adapt and properly manage fleet performance. The incident occurs against the backdrop of previously heightened scrutiny of airline safety protocols and maintenance standards within the aviation industry. As the evaluation process unfolds, Aurigny is expected to explore the leasing of additional aircraft to bolster operational capacity and ensure scheduled services are minimally impacted. This approach not only underlines the airline's resilience in the face of challenges but also signals an ongoing commitment to manage and uphold safety measures that prioritize passenger well-being. Ultimately, incidents like these highlight the complexities of aviation safety, the importance of thorough training for flight crews, and the necessity for airlines to maintain robust maintenance strategies to prevent future occurrences.