Luxaviation latest operator to choose San Marino registry

Luxaviation, one of the world’s largest business jet operators, has now officially opened services in San Marino after receiving an Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (AOC) in January. It has already placed three aircraft on the San Marino aircraft registry.

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino – an autonomous City State surrounded by Italy -launched an aircraft registry in November 2012. There are now more than 200 aircraft on its registry and 13 companies have San Marino AOCs.

Luxaviation now has AOCs from 15 countries.

“The San Marino AOC has proven instantly popular with our customers, with three aircraft from Europe, South Africa and the Middle East already receiving their T7 San Marino tail numbers,” said Captain Robert Fisch, managing director of the San Marino AOC. “We expect to see many new customers joining the AOC, particularly those with specific needs for large-cabin certification.” Fisch is Chief Aviation Officer of Luxaviation and moves from his role of managing director of Luxaviation Luxembourg.

“We are planning to certify a limited number of AOCs,” says David Colindres, president, San Marino Aircraft Registry. “It takes a lot of resources and time to oversee an AOC and we will never compromise on safety oversight or customer service. We are very focused on adding the right operators. Particularly high-quality, large operators like Luxaviation.”

Four other operators have started the certification process and hope to receive San Marino ACOs this year. Other operators already holding San Marino AOCs include ACASS, Empire Aviation, Elit Aviva, Skyline, Acvon Jet and TAG Aviation.

San Marino is neither a member of the European Union nor of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This means that aircraft registered on a San Marino AOC cannot carry commercial passengers in within the EU single member States – making it more suitable for large aircraft based outside Europe. But it also means that it is more flexible than registries regulated by EASA. For example, San Marino will recognise pilots certified by other aviation authorities – such a the US FAA, Transport Canada or Russia – giving owners more options.

The registry is fully audited by ICAO. In 2016 it received an ICAO president’s certificate after being audited. It also has bilateral ICAO article bis agreements with Serbia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, meaning San Marino can take over the oversight of aircraft based in those countries.

Colindres says that the government of San Marino is a key reason for the growth in aircraft registrations. He adds: “The government is really supportive – it is 100% behind the registry. It is a true public private partnership with both sides working together.”