The Isle of Man aircraft registry says it expects to smash its monthly registration record in December, bringing its tally of "M" prefixed business jets, VIP airliners and helicopters to 340.
"Our monthly record is 13 registrations, but we are expecting to smash this target in December with 24 additions including three Dassault Falcon 7Xs, four Bombardier Global XRS and two Airbus A320s," says Brian Johnson, director of civil aviation for the British dependency.
The Middle East accounts for a growing number of registrations particularly of aircraft at the top of the sector, notably VIP airliners. "We have around 20 aircraft owned by Middle Eastern customers and this number is growing," says Johnson.
The registry is the only one in the world dedicated solely to registering private aircraft. It was set up in May 2007 as a cost-neutral entity by the Manx government, making registration and other related services significantly cheaper than most other national registers.
The register was established to bring in business and employment to the island's banks, legal and insurance firms, says Johnson, and to position the territory as a centre for aerospace and aviation services.
Source: Flight Daily News
