The CAACI team, from left, Joni Wood – Director Finance & Compliance; Capt. Mark Dixon – Director Air Safety Regulation; Richard Smith – Director-General Civil Aviation; Tony Walsh – Airworthiness Inspector; Anne-Marie Stephens – Marketing & Communications Officer and Charlie Kirkconnell – Cayman Enterprise City CEO.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) exhibited at the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) tradeshow, which is held at the Palexpo Centre in Geneva, Switzerland on 20-22 May 2025. The primary objective was to promote the Cayman Islands Aircraft Registry (CIAR) as the offshore registry of choice for discerning owners and operators.
EBACE has been held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, since 2001. There was great excitement and intrigue surrounding this year’s tradeshow, since the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) sold its interest in EBACE last year to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). Now with sole responsibility for the show, EBAA is working to ensure EBACE’s continued success and relevance to the industry. The industry continued its focus on innovation, sustainability, showcasing inclusion and excellence, exhibitors and attendees alike were keen to see the new technologies in this growing sector of the aviation market.
The CAACI said in a press release it is furthering the strategic partnership between the authority and Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) that provides key elements required for the jurisdictional establishment for operators engaged in commercial operations offshore. In addition to the team of delegates representing the CAACI and CIAR, Charlie Kirkconnell, Cayman Enterprise City CEO co-exhibited at the booth, and helped promote the registry, CEC, and the Cayman Islands.
CAACI and CEC are jointly marketing the Cayman Islands to the aviation industry, promoting its robust regulatory environment, neutral tax status, sound legal and finance systems and first-world life style, touting it as the perfect domicile from which to operate a business aviation company. Clients that qualify are aircraft owners and brokers, technology companies and start-ups engaged in aviation research and development, the head offices of aviation industry businesses, aircraft manufacturing and repair businesses, and businesses that provide management consultancy and other specialised services to the aviation industry.
The CAACI would like to offer special thanks to our business partner the Maples Group for providing promotional items and relevant collateral material on aircraft registration decisions.
“Visitors to the CAACI booth were all glad to receive a little piece of our dear verdant isles with mini rum cakes, Cayman coffee, and a host of giveaways and treats from our generous sponsors,” the authority said. “Our grand prize raffle winner took home a round trip ticket from Cayman Airways, a stay at the Marriott Resort, handmade thatch hat and basket from Eileen’s Hand Made Crafts, Gift Certificates from Island Splash Watersports and Cimboco, Tortuga Rum Cake, Tea Time in Cayman Tea Package, and ocean themed candle from Mars Candles.”
