The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) recently exhibited at the 19^thannual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) tradeshow, which is held annually at the Palexpo Centre in Geneva, Switzerland to promote the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry as the offshore registry of choice for discerning owners and operators. As EBACE concluded on 23^rd May, show organizers reported that there were over 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services in aviation from across the world. The sold-out static display featured 58 aircraft on the ramp at Geneva Airport, ranging from intercontinental business jets, to turboprop and piston aircraft, to helicopters. The exhibition brings together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel, avionics firms, fractional providers, charter/lease companies and all sectors of people involved in nearly every aspect of business aviation.

With over 13,000 business aviation professionals in attendance, EBACE was the perfect location for the CAACI to announce the issuance of the first Air Operators Certificate (AOC) for fixed wing commercial operations to be registered in the Cayman Islands’ Special Economic Zone – Cayman Enterprise City (CEC),  to Cayman Bellawings, an affiliate of Hong Kong Bellawings business jet management company. The official announcement took place on the opening day of the show with an official presentation of the Cayman Bellwings’ AOC to the President of HK Bellawings, Mr. Zhang who accepted the AOC framed cert from the Director-General with the CEO of Cayman Enterprise City, Mr. Charles Kirkconnell in attendance as well.  In addition, the DGCA presented Mr. Zhang with a stingray carved out of Caymanite.

HK Bellawings is the third largest fleet operator in Hong Kong and provides a diverse array of professional, highly efficient and comprehensive business aviation services and solutions to their clients, which include business jet management, aircraft maintenance, travel concierge service, aircraft acquisition service, and business aviation consultancy.

“We are very pleased to announce this milestone development for the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry.  The strategic partnership between the CAACI  and CEC provides key elements required for facilitating jurisdictional establishment for offshore operations and Cayman Bellawings has demonstrated the viability of this arrangement.    We are excited 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” said Director-General of CAACI, Mr. Richard Smith.

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 first-world life style, touting it as the perfect domicile from which to operate a business aviation company. Clients that qualify are aircraft owners and brokers, technology companies and start-ups engaged in aviation research and development, the head offices of aviation industry businesses, aircraft manufacturing and repair businesses, and businesses that provide management consultancy and other specialized services to the aviation industry.

In addition to the Cayman Bellawings announcement, the CAACI also recognized the significant working relationships with CAE Parc Aviation, an Irish based aircraft management company, and Aeroconseil AKKA, an aircraft operational support company based in France, to make sure the lessor (aircraft leasing partners) objectives are fulfilled. The CAACI is also engaged with Flight Operation Organisations required to support the relocation of aircraft and where required, perform operational verification flights. The CAACI believes the field of aircraft transitions requires bespoke organisation competencies, processes and resources coordinated to deliver successful outcomes and continues to promote this initiative along with its stakeholders where expansion will be qualified to ensure consistencies in product delivery.

The delegation of Cayman Islands’ businesses jointly exhibiting with the CAACI,  who were kept very busy, included Mr. Charles Kirkconnell, CEO of Cayman Enterprise City, and Mr. Dale Crowley, Managing Partner of Bodden and Bodden law firm. Representation materials were provided by the CAACI business partners Maples & Calder and the C I Department of Tourism.  Each year CAACI extends partnership opportunities to  the local business community to sponsor a trip raffle prize package for attendees to the CAACI booth and would like to thank this years’ sponsors: Cayman Airways Ltd, Sunshine Suites Resort, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and Pedro St. James. In addition this year two sterling silver necklaces in the shape of Grand Cayman were donated by Rockys, and craft items from the Cayman Craft Market.  The CAACI greatly appreciates the generous donations of the local business community and the support to our promotional and awareness initiatives Mr. Robbie Irons of Pegasus Universal Aerospace was the lucky winner of this fantastic package to the islands.