Bahamasair Managing Director Henry Woods yesterday warned it is unlikely that The Bahamas would be able to govern an international aircraft registry in the near future, despite the significant economic benefits a registry would provide.
Woods told Guardian Business that The Bahamas could learn from similar initiatives undertaken by regional competitors, including Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, if it wishes to create a registry.
"It is something that is very, very beneficial to territories like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, and it is something that we should look into.
"Other countries like us have benefited greatly from having an international registry, but being able to govern it is another [issue]. Once it's on your register, you're responsible," said Woods.
Successive governments have toyed with the idea of establishing an international aircraft registry. However, little definitive progress has been made.
Creating a registry would benefit the country's aviation sector through ancillary services, such as provisioning and maintenance. A registry would also likely benefit The Bahamas' financial services sector through aircraft leasing, insurance and basic registration.

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