Aircraft registry in the Cayman Islands PH Richard Smith, MBE FRAeS is Director-General of Civil Aviation at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) he Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry is well known for authorities to ensure that registrants have the most maintaining a high reputation for providing a safe, comprehensive counsel on every avenue of law, custom stable and credible flag for registration of aircraft law, tax and insurance. CAACI dispatches highly qualified which makes it the registry of choice for many surveyors and inspectors to conduct inspections of the Towners, operators and financiers for personal and corporate aircraft at the home base or the designated maintenance aircraft. Even though the standards to register an aircraft are facility for ease and convenience of operators. The normal rigid and specifications must be exact in order to qualify, this registration process takes about five weeks to complete has led the Cayman Islands registry to be highly recognized followed by annual airworthiness inspections to ensure and respected throughout the aviation industry globally. compliance with regulatory safety standards. Many C.I. registered aircraft are currently based and operated The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) throughout Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, works in close partnership with a specialized group of legal Australia and Saudi Arabia with the majority being based in and financial firms as well as Cayman Islands Government the Middle East region. ©VP-CAV courtesy of Jet Aviation, Joao Luis 2 World Commerce Review ■ December 2014 Corporate ownership: a majority of registrants are owners of corporations who prefer the ease of travel between international destinations, with relative anonymity, which is afforded to Cayman Islands registered aircraft. The clientele also enjoy personalised service from each division of the CAACI and are assured of fast and efficient service for provision of required documents or responses to queries regarding the aircraft’s operation. Reduced tax liability: the Cayman Islands is renowned as a leading offshore jurisdiction, achieved through its tax neutral environment with a highly developed legal system based on English legal principles. Applicants to the registry are encouraged to work with one of the local legal and financial partner firms who are versed in aircraft registration and can provide legal advice pertinent to clients’ individual circumstance. Access 24-7-365: CAACI has launched a new electronic data management system ‘VP-C Online’ to manage all registry applications, certificates and authorizations electronically. The new system will make it easier for registrants and operators to apply for the various approvals that are required for both initial aircraft registration and for continuing airworthiness including the renewal of documents. It is designed to streamline processes within the CAACI and allow more efficient service provision. Authorized users are able to utilize online smart forms for submission of applications including electronic submission of all supporting documentation required by the specific application. The custom designed, intuitive user screens will also provide clients online access to their certificates at their convenience.■ World Commerce Review ■ December 2014 3.