A collaboration between two of the Cayman Islands’ key organisations means processes to facilitate the issuance of Air Operator Certificates are now in operation.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) is the statutory authority responsible for aviation safety regulatory oversight throughout the Cayman Islands, and for aircraft registered in the Cayman Islands. The registry is globally recognised and is a reputable registry of choice for many aircraft owners, financiers, management companies, attorneys and other discerning decision-makers in the corporate aviation industry. Stringent standards and a mandate for safety compliance have guided oversight of Cayman registered aircraft since the inception of the registry over 50 years ago.
CAACI, in collaboration with Cayman Enterprise City (CEC), recently introduced processes to facilitate the issuance of Air Operator Certificates (AOC) to air transport operations established within the Cayman Maritime & Aviation City (CMAC) special economic zone. CMAC enables offshore businesses within the shipping/maritime industries and the aviation sector to cost-effectively set up a physical presence in the Cayman Islands. Companies established in this maritime and aviation zone can take advantage of Cayman’s jurisdictional benefits, along with a series of globally competitive concessions granted by the Cayman Islands Government.
The first AOC for fixed-wing commercial operations in the CMAC was issued to Cayman Bellawings, an affiliate of business jet management company HK Bellawings. HK Bellawings currently operates nine aircraft on the Cayman Registry including the Gulfstream G-200 to be operated under the Cayman Bellawings AOC.
CAACI’s Director-General Richard Smith said of the development: “The strategic partnership between CAACI and CEC provides key elements required for facilitating jurisdictional establishment for offshore operations, Cayman Bellawings has demonstrated the viability of this arrangement. We are pleased to have Cayman Bellawings operate commercially under Cayman Islands jurisdiction and look forward to their continued growth as they serve the needs of this dynamic industry.”
HK Bellawings is the third largest fleet operator in Hong Kong. It provides a diverse array of highly efficient and comprehensive business aviation service solutions to clients, which include business jet management, aircraft maintenance, travel concierge service, aircraft acquisition service, and business aviation consultancy.
CAACI and CEC are jointly marketing the Cayman Islands to the aviation industry, promoting its robust regulatory environment, neutral tax status, sound legal and finance systems and enviable lifestyle, touting it as the perfect domicile from which to operate a business aviation company.
In addition, CAACI has recently partnered with lessors and affiliated Continuing Airworthiness Maintenance Organisations (CAMOs) to support the aircraft leasing and financing industry. Recent announcements include work with CAE Parc Aviation, an Ireland-based aircraft management company, and Aeroconseil AKKA, an aircraft operational support company based in France.
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