Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I am eligible to register an aircraft on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry?
To be eligible to place an aircraft on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry a person must be a United Kingdom national, Commonwealth citizen, or national of any European Economic Area State. In addition, bodies incorporated in any part of the Commonwealth (including Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) and which have their registered office or principal place of business in any other part of the Commonwealth, or undertakings formed in accordance with the law of a European Economic Area State and which have their registered office, central administration or principal place of business within the European Economic Area are also eligible.
Persons or corporations who do not meet these requirements may be able to incorporate a company in Bermuda or in one of the other authorized jurisdictions.
What do I have to do to register an aircraft?
To assist with the process of registering an aircraft, the BCAA provides a detailed checklist that can be used as a guide to registering an aircraft, the initial issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness and the requirements for Bermuda operational approval. You can find out more on our how to register page get in touch with one of our knowledgeable members of staff by emailing aircraftregistration@bcaa.bm.
Where are planes on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry based?
Aircraft on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry are based all around the world including countries in Europe, Middle East, Asia, North America and South America.
My plane is already registered; will it be difficult to move the registration to Bermuda?
BCAA accepts Type Certificates from the EASA, the FAA and Transport Canada. As a result, an aircraft from another registry can be registered in Bermuda with minimal inconvenience and expense.
Does BCAA have designated inspectors that oversee the APAC region?
With BCAA’s UK office located at Farnborough Airportalong with Airworthiness Inspectors located across the Globe, we can provide excellent response times to our clients in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. There is an added benefit of short notice aircraft inspections and Certificate of Airworthiness issue during a turnaround or layover at Farnborough.
What are the benefits of registering an aircraft with BCAA?
- Type Certification - ANAC (Brazil), EASA, FAA, Transport Canada
- Asset protection through both Cape Town and Mortgage Register
- ICAO based safety oversight system
- Tax neutrality
- Category 1 Aviation Regulatory Authority by the US Federal Aviation Administration
- Reputation internationally for offering high regulatory standards and excellent service levels
What does tax neutrality mean?
Bermuda is essentially tax neutral, which means that the tax is sufficiently small that entities do not have to change their economic routine of buying, selling, or marketing to accommodate tax. By registering aircraft in Bermuda, owners and operators may be in a position to take advantage of favourable tax treatment in their principle place of business.
What is the significance of a mortgage registry?
Effective 1st January 2018, the Cape Town Convention and the related Protocol (Convention) came into force for aircraft on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry. The Convention enables interested parties to protect and recover their mobile assets with greater certainty and ease by creating an international registry. This provides assurance to lenders, leasing companies and operators that their asset is protected.
Prior to Cape Town, Bermuda had in place an Aircraft and Engine Mortgage register, which will be retained as another mechanism for protection and recovery of assets.
How many aircraft are currently on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry?
Bermuda’s Aircraft Registry is extensive and ranks 10th in size when compared to the 192 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Member States. The current Registry of over 870 aircraft includes a mix of both private and commercial aircraft operated under an ICAO Article 83 bis Agreement.