Final decision on Channel Islands aircraft registry

At a recent meeting between Jersey’s Economic Development Minister, Senator Alan Maclean, and the Minister for Commerce and Employment in Guernsey, Deputy Kevin Stewart, a decision was made not to proceed with a joint Channel Islands Aircraft Registry.

 

It became apparent over recent months – after a great deal of effort and having taken independent expert legal opinion – that a single registry could not meet the separate operational and commercial interests of both islands. It was therefore decided that each jurisdiction would move ahead with separate plans.

 

Senator Maclean said “After detailed discussions, we agreed it would not be possible to establish a joint registry which would safeguard the commercial interests of each Island’s financial service sectors.

 

"Our two governments remain committed to joint working, and we will continue to look for areas where we can work together to benefit Channel Island residents. For instance, a joint financial services ombudsman scheme, due to launch in early 2014.

 

“While the considerable commercial and operational obstacles meant a joint aircraft registry has not proved possible, we look forward to developing other pan-island activity in economic development.”

 

 

Deputy Stewart added “A full range of options were explored but after lengthy consideration there was not one option that was workable and would provide the same mutual business benefits. The result is that both islands will now be setting up separate registries in a growing global market place.”

 

The governments of Guernsey and Jersey remain committed to identifying viable areas of future joint working, capable of providing benefits to Channel Island residents. In this instance there were considerable commercial and operational obstacles that prevented the joint project reaching fruition, however both Ministers are convinced that every avenue was explored that could have potentially allowed the joint registry to be developed.