Aircraft registry set for take-off...from Guernsey

THE Channel Islands Aircraft Registry has confirmed it is set for take-off next month – from Guernsey only.

Jersey pulled out of the project earlier this year, and in September the island said it would pursue its own system. Economic Development minister Alan Maclean said that the proposals were too 'Guernsey-centric' and would have given Guernsey an unfair advantage in commercial benefit from the register.

But the registry will continue to carry the CI banner.

'The thing is, we have been running this project on the idea of a joint thing with Jersey,' said Fergus Woods, director of civil aviation for the islands.

'Jersey withdrew, but we have put a lot of effort into marketing and branding with the CI name, and we think it's the right one to go with.

'There is no guarantee that Jersey will ever come up with a proper proposal for their own registry and there shouldn't be any confusion.'

Mr Woods said that he also believed the Channel Islands name would 'carry a bit more international clout'.

The registry will be managed by Dutch company SGI Aviation, which tendered for the project.

'We always looked at this as a Channel Island register and were confident and hopeful that Jersey would be part of that,' said Erik Dahmen, director of aircraft marketing and sales, pictured on the right with Luc Beaudoin of SGI Aviation.