Baines Simmons takes 10-year safety contract for Isle of Man Aircraft Registry

Mark Briffa, chief executive, Air Partner

Air Partner-owned aviation safety consultancy company Baines Simmons has been awarded the 1O- year contract to provide support services to the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry (IoMAR) after a final shoot-out involving three other competitor businesses. The registry is the sixth largest international business jet list, and the fastest growing aircraft registry in the world.

In accordance with the convention on international civil aviation, all aircraft must be registered with a national aviation authority and they must carry proof of this registration in the form of a legal document called a certificate of registration at all times when in operation. The aircraft registration is constructed of a prefix selected from the country’s call sign prefix – making the registration a quick way of determining the country of origin – and the registration suffix. The Isle of Man prefix is ‘M’.

Baines Simmons assisted the first Isle of Man director of civil aviation, Brian Johnson, in designing, building and launching IoMAR on behalf of the Isle of Man government.

Since launch on 1 May 2007, Baines Simmons’ airworthiness surveyors have completed 2,760 aircraft surveys, recommending certificate of airworthiness for issue, renewal or export. Today, a total of 854 aircraft have been registered and there are 467 aircraft active on the register, covering private and corporate jets as well as twin-turbine helicopters. In addition, commercial airliners which are parked or between leases can be registered.

Simon Williams, director of civil aviation for the Isle of Man, said: “The highly specialist contract to provide aviation support Services to IoMAR went out to formal tender in 2015. The Isle of Man Government’s Treasury led a rigorous process which saw the numerous companies who submitted a tender undergo a very detailed, thorough and objective assessment.

“Baines Simmons is to be congratulated for their successful tender following months of hard work. The team at the IoMAR very much looks forward to continuing to work with Baines Simmons and to building on our highly successful strategic partnership. Formal confirmation of the Treasury decision provides an excellent opportunity to continue to build the Isle of Man aviation sector which in turn will make a significant contribution to the island economy.”

Mark Briffa, chief executive of Air Partner, added: “This 10-year contract is a testament to the work and dedication of the team at Baines Simmons.

“The expertise of our team has ensured that from the outset the IoMAR has enjoyed a global reputation for award-winning customer service and the highest standards of independent regulatory oversight. We are delighted to have been successful in this latest tender process and look forward to further building on these strong foundations in the decade ahead.”

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