Background
1. During his call on Mr Ridley on 18 September 1980 the former Chief Minister (Mr Skippings) presented papers concerning proposals on our international aircraft registry. (The TCI already had their own domestic aircraft registry).
2. Under these proposals, the TCIG would sign an agreement with OMNI, an American company whose principal business is leasing aircraft, and a local company would be established in TCI with the dual role of assisting the local Director of Civil Aviation in carrying out airworthiness and maintenance checks on aircraft, issuing certificates and of operating a civil aviation register on commercial terms. The Attorney-General later told us that OMNI were hoping to corner 123% of the world civil aviation market for the TCI register. (UK has 8%).
3.
Our reservations are outlined in telegram personal 74 to
Grand Turk of 21 November 1980 attached, and centre on lack of
proof on OMNI's technical competence to carry out what they propose and the potential clash of interests where a company both checks aircraft for airworthiness and runs an international
registry for payment.
4. We advised the Governor not to sign the Agreement on behalf
of the TCI Government with OMNI. Both he and the Attorney- General support the proposals but have to date advanced no arguments to satisfy either our technical or legal objections.
5.
Officials of the FCO, CAA and DOT are to meet the TCI
Ministers and representatives of OMNI during the morning of Wednesday 28 January. It is not the purpose of the meeting to negotiate or take a decision on the proposal, but to invite TCI Ministers (and OMNI if they so wish) to explain how the proposal will fit into the technical and legal framework governing the conduct of Civil Aviation in Dependent Territories.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.