The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) hosted a one day seminar on Friday, 28th September, which focused on the processes and procedures associated with registering an aircraft in the Cayman Islands. The seminar and training session was held at the George Town Yacht Club Conference Room, and attracted attendees from most of the local law firms and corporate management companies, financial firms and representatives of other statutory authorities and Government departments.

The Acting Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, offered opening remarks that reflected on the synergies between the aircraft registry and the local financial services industry and the credible regulatory oversight of the CAACI. He also highlighted the important role of the CAACI and its valuable revenue contributions to the Cayman Islands Government. Then followed by an address by the then Acting Premier, the Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, Minister for District Administration, Tourism and Transport who spoke of the pride in observing the CAACI at a global aviation tradeshow showcasing the services offered by the CAACI.

Mrs. Jane Panton, Director of Finance & Compliance commenced the seminar presentations with an overview of the registration process. This was followed with presentations by Mr. Lindsay Cadenhead, Director of Air Safety Regulation, who walked the attendees through very detailed information on the processes and procedures associated with registering an aircraft in the Cayman Islands. This was followed by presentations by Capt. Mark Dixon, Flight Operations Inspector on the importance of safety and by Mr. Charlie Kirkconnell, CEO of Cayman Enterprise City on the partnership between CEC and the CAACI.

Mr. Smith commented, “our partners in the local legal and financial industries are vitally important to the CI Aircraft Registry as they interact and often help influence decisions on what jurisdiction an aircraft is to be registered in,” he continued, “at the CAACI we have cultivated a mutually beneficial relationship with this segment of the Cayman economy that we will continue developing, as we sustain our leadership position in the global aircraft registry business.”

The day ended with an interactive ‘think tank’ session moderated by Mr. Smith with a supporting panel from Ms. Shari McField of Maples and Calder and Mr. Richard Munden, a legal expert on aviation financing and a member of the CAACI executive team, Mr. Guy Healey. Topics for this session included offshore Air Operators Certificates (AOCs), the Cape Town Convention, drones; future plans for the registry and its targeted conservative growths in key markets, as well as a look at emerging markets in different regions all formed thought provoking discussion points.