Aruba and San Marino agree new regulatory oversight framework
The registries said the agreement will enter into force when signed by the last party and will remain effective for three years. It could then be renewed for a period agreed by both authorities.
The Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCA-A) and the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority (SM-CAA) have agreed a new regulatory oversight framework for San Marino-registered aircraft operating commercially under an air operator certificate (AOC) issued by Aruba.
The agreement, signed on September 7th, defines how the two authorities will coordinate regulatory oversight functions, with San Marino acting as the state of registry and Aruba as the state of operator.
“This strengthens the relationship between our two jurisdictions while creating a clear framework for aircraft owners and operators whose registration and commercial operating requirements span San Marino and Aruba,” said Sir Jorge Colindres, executive chairman and founder of The Registry of Aruba. “The value lies in having two civil aviation authorities working closely together, with clearly defined responsibilities and a shared commitment to safety and effective oversight.”
According to a press release, for present and future aircraft owners and operators, the framework creates a defined regulatory structure through which eligible aircraft can remain registered in San Marino while operating commercially under an Aruba-issued AOC.
What this means
The framework applies specifically to aircraft on the San Marino civil aircraft register that operate commercially under an AOC issued by Aruba. Aircraft will be identified by aircraft type, registration mark and serial number and included in a dedicated schedule. This creates a formal structure connecting registration in San Marino and commercial operation under an Aruba AOC.
Established under Article 83 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the arrangement does not transfer regulatory functions or duties between the two authorities. The framework defines how SM-CAA and DCA-A will cooperate in carrying out their respective oversight.
“International aircraft ownership increasingly requires regulatory structures that recognize how aircraft are actually operated,” said David Colindres, president of the San Marino Aircraft Registry. “This provides qualifying owners and operators with a clear framework for combining San Marino registration with commercial operation under an Aruba AOC, while ensuring that both civil aviation authorities remain closely coordinated throughout the operation of the aircraft.”
Representatives of both authorities will meet annually to review safety oversight activities. Dedicated focal points will also maintain regular communication between the two authorities.
The framework also provides practical mechanisms for regulatory cooperation. SM-CAA will have access to relevant DCA-A documentation, while DCA-A will facilitate on-site inspections conducted by SM-CAA in Aruba.
The structure establishes how the two authorities will coordinate across operational and airworthiness matters. For example, SM-CAA remains responsible for issuing and reissuing Certificates of Airworthiness, while DCA-A verifies their validity and ensures operators maintain the appropriate procedures to keep those certificates in force.
In continuing airworthiness, the two authorities have complementary tasks covering areas including maintenance programmes, maintenance control procedures, modifications and repairs and the exchange of relevant airworthiness information, according to a press release.
