A high-level joint workshop by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Aviation Working Group (AWG) on cross-border aircraft transfers and Cape Town Convention compliance kicked off in Dubai on April 7.
Hosted by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the three-day event runs until April 9, 2025.
The workshop is part of ongoing cooperation between ICAO and AWG, reflecting their long-standing partnership to strengthen global aviation safety and streamline cross-border transactions in aircraft ownership and registration.
The sessions focus on two critical areas: regulations and practices surrounding cross-border aircraft registration and transfer, and best practices in deregistration and export-related provisions as outlined in the Cape Town Convention and its Aircraft Protocol, signed in 2001.
In his opening address, Omar bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director-General of the GCAA, reaffirmed the UAE’s support for international aviation frameworks.
“Creating a stable and transparent legal environment is key to attracting investment, reducing financing costs, and facilitating smoother registration and ownership processes,”
he said. He stressed that cross-border aircraft regulation is a strategic priority for ensuring the aviation sector’s sustainable growth.
Jeffrey Wool, Secretary General of the AWG, highlighted the workshop’s role in fostering dialogue among global stakeholders.
“Enhancing compliance with the Cape Town Convention is essential for reducing costs and unlocking new financing opportunities. A shared understanding of registration and transfer mechanisms delivers broad economic benefits,”
he noted.
The event underscores the UAE’s growing leadership in global aviation dialogue and its commitment to advancing legal and operational frameworks that support industry growth and innovation.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
