The Isle of Man government has awarded a 10-year contract to support its aircraft registry to Baines Simmons, the aviation safety consultancy subsidiary of charter brokering group Air Partner. Baines Simmons previously assisted the first Isle of Man director of civil aviation, Brian Johnson, in designing, building and launching the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry, which is now the sixth largest in the world.

According to local authorities, among the benefits of registering an aircraft in the Isle of Man are high regulatory standards, a secure mortgage register, no insurance premium tax, a clear and simple taxation regime and stable legal and political environment. It is limited to aircraft operated purely for private use, but does include some airliners that are between leases and not currently being operated commercially.

Baines Simmons’ airworthiness surveyors have handled 2,760 aircraft, recommending certificate of airworthiness for issue, renewal or export. To date, 854 aircraft have been registered in the Isle of Man and 467 aircraft are actively being operated today.