MEBA2012: Bahrain leading the way over BizAv rulings

Homaid Al Shemmari, executive director Mubadala Aerospace, suggested that the kingdom had particularly well-developed regulations and could serve as a model for the rest of the Gulf states.

 

Ahmed Nemat Ali, assistant under secretary for aviation services for Bahrain, agreed his country had several robust mechanisms in place.

 

Last year the Bahraini and the Gulf Cooperation Council Aviation Authorities (GCCA) agreed to accept each other’s standards.

 

The experiment has proved successful and Ahmed Al Rawahi, director of airworthiness for the GCCA, suggested that might encourage other countries to take part. However, he didn’t think that all 23 Middle East countries would participate.

 

The agreement covers Part 145 organisations, whether in or outside state, and is part of a drive from the GCC secretariat to harmonise approval processes.

 

In what seemed like a swipe at offshore registrations, Ahmed also called for all regional countries to adhere to the Cape Town Convention, which would help push down prices.

 

He said: “One aspect of joining is financial. It reduces the burden on aircraft buyers in terms of profit and interest rates. The lender feels more comfortable with an aircraft registered in Bahrain. The lending institution feels comfortable and so, as a result, borrowing at 10% could reduce the burden on investors to 2%.”