NASSAU, Bahamas -- With
The Bahamas moving closer to enhancing its existing aircraft registry to
meet or exceed standards of successful offshore registries, the most
vocal proponent of creating a Bahamas international aircraft registry
today congratulated government on "moving so quickly and deliberately"
on both the registry and action to safeguard FAA approval of the
nation's air safety ratings.
"The timing for the initial phases
of creating a framework for the establishment of an international
aircraft registry could not be better," said Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright,
a former commercial pilot and now a partner at Callenders law offices
where he specializes in aviation law. "The global forecast for business
and corporate jets which would form the basis of The Bahamas
International Aircraft Registry has never been stronger. If you look at
the projections for the coming decade, nearly one in every three owners
-- corporate, partnership or individual -- plans to replace or purchase
new aircraft in the next five years. That is an amazing figure. And over
the next 10 years, it's projected that there will be some 10,000
deliveries of new business jets worth some $250 billion. Every one of
those new builds or deliveries has to be registered somewhere."
Add new deliveries to the existing body of jets and the opportunity, he says, is great.
"In
our discussions about establishing an international aircraft registry,
we have stressed the need for a quality registry with stringent
standards, modeled after our successful ship registry," said
Boyer-Cartwright. "We do not want to be a flag of convenience. We must
aim for a name that symbolizes security, prestige, a premiere registry
supported by all the economic opportunities for local businesses from
aircraft financing to security services, insurance, legal work,
maintenance and repair, fueling, catering, chartering, FBOs operations
and more."
Boyer-Cartwright's comments came on the heels of the Ministry of Transport & Aviation's positive news.
"The
Minister of Transport & Aviation's announcement that a threatened
FAA downgrade that could have crippled air traffic had been averted with
officials, including Captain Patrick Rolle, taking efficient and
effective action was greatly welcomed news," he said. "And I think
because of the planned creation of a Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority,
The Bahamas will be in the strongest position in its civil aviation
history. I honestly believe we are entering a new era in air traffic
safety, security and operations."
Touting the friendly skies of
The Bahamas has taken Boyer-Cartwright from one conference to another
this year, several on an invitational basis. Next week, he heads to
Germany for a conference and in December, he's been invited to address
the world's leading business and corporate jet owners, financiers and
attorneys at the Aruba Aeropodium Offshore Aircraft Conference. It will
be his fifth this year and Boyer-Cartwright estimates he's logged well
over 20,000 miles promoting The Bahamas as a great place to live, do
business and vacation.
"The government worked diligently to avoid
an imminent threat to downgrade our civil aviation sector from Category
1 to Category 2," he said. "They have successfully managed to raise the
nation's aviation standards to meet and comply with FAA and ICAO
standards."
At the same time, he noted, the FAA's and US
Department of Transportation policy changes as they relate to
non-citizen trusts will no doubt make offshore registries more
appealing. In addition to this, a few months ago, the FAA announced that
Stage Two business jets will no longer be able to operate in the US
after December 2015. That, says Boyer-Cartwright, may force those
aircraft owners to register their aircraft elsewhere.
"In short,
Stage Two relates to the noise level a jet aircraft produces
particularly on take-offs and landings. The majority of the airports in
The Bahamas are not in the midst of cities but tend to be situated in
low density areas, we may be able to decide whether or not to
accommodate these aircraft, including many of the manufacturer names
that only a decade ago were associated with the glitz and glam of the
skies. The implementation of this new policy could force as much as 60
percent of all related aircraft to register elsewhere. Many of these
aircraft, considered top of the line not long ago, are now aging with
large numbers failing to qualify under new standards.
"Naturally,
this creates an opportunity for The Bahamas, with owners looking for an
alternative jurisdiction," he continued. "In fact, other jurisdictions
are already preparing for the exodus of some 600 aircraft that are
affected by the rule. However, we must act with prudence. While it is
important for us to capitalize on opportunities, we must be selective.”
Other countries in the region have established registries with much
success. Bermuda currently has more than 700 aircraft registered, the
majority of those commercially operated. Isle of Man is currently ranked
the number one offshore aircraft registry in the world.
Read more: http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment