From Aruba to San Marino to Gibraltar: The Rise of Aircraft Registry Group

Papa Four – Tango Seven – Victor Papa Golf

It is not every day that a country launches an aircraft registry. However, when it does happen, it is typically the result of years of strategic planning, international cooperation, and a clear vision to compete in one of the world’s most regulated industries. This summer, Gibraltar officially joined the club, following in the footsteps of San Marino and Aruba. These are small jurisdictions, but they have shown that if done right, boutique registries can thrive.

The Model That Started in Aruba

It began in 1995, when aviation entrepreneur Jorge Colindres proposed something unconventional to the government of Aruba. He suggested that a private company could manage and market the national aircraft registry. The idea was bold. At the time, registries were almost entirely state-run operations. But Aruba agreed, on the condition that the registry would meet the highest international standards, including full compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization and a Category-1 rating from the FAA.

It worked. The Registry of Aruba quickly established itself as a trusted name among private and corporate jet owners worldwide. It offered something many were looking for: flexibility, personalized service, and international credibility. It also proved that this public-private model could be both sustainable and profitable, with registration fees helping to fund Aruba’s Directorate of Aviation.

San Marino Takes Flight

Seventeen years later, in 2012, the Republic of San Marino followed a similar path. Known more for its history and geography than aviation, San Marino decided it was time to leverage its reputation for independence and transparency in a new sector. 

On November 7, 2012, San Marino officially launched its aircraft registry. The opening ceremony, led by Secretary of State for Transport Antonella Molaroni, was attended by officials, executives, and industry representatives. It marked a major milestone for the country and sent a message to the global aviation community: San Marino was ready to compete.

Marco Conti, Director General of the Civil Aviation and Maritime Navigation Authority, credited the Aviation Registry Group for ensuring the registry would meet international standards from day one. He emphasized their integrity, technical expertise, and commitment to full compliance. Jorge Colindres, once again leading the charge, said it plainly. The goal was for San Marino to become known as the Registry of Excellence.

The success of the San Marino Aircraft Registry has been powered not just by technical execution, but by a strong public-private partnership between the government and the Aviation Registry Group. Despite launching seventeen years after Aruba, San Marino has already outperformed it in terms of aircraft registrations and ICAO compliance. The efficiency of its setup, the strength of its regulatory framework, and its customer-focused approach have made it one of the most dynamic registries in the market today.

Gibraltar Enters the Arena

Gibraltar becomes the latest jurisdiction to adopt the model, launching this week. But this time, the ambition was bigger. The government was not just launching a registry. It was laying the foundation for an entirely new industry. The agreement was signed this August, after nearly three years of preparation. Gibraltar’s registry will begin by registering private aircraft under the prefix VP-G, with plans to eventually offer commercial Air Operator Certificates. The legal and financial infrastructure is already in place, and the registry will operate under the oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, just as the registries in the Isle of Man and Guernsey do.

Chris Purkiss, Gibraltar’s long-serving Director of Civil Aviation, now steps into the role of Director General of the new Civil Aviation Authority. He described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something entirely new for Gibraltar. Glendon Martinez, Chief Secretary of His Majesty’s Government, also spoke at the signing and acknowledged the contribution of Jorge Colindres and his team. The Aviation Registry Group is once again responsible for implementation, marketing, and support. Colindres, along with his son David and daughter-in-law Lindy Castillo, has built a family-led organization with a truly global footprint. According to Jorge, the early response from aircraft owners has already been very positive.

A Personal Note

This one hits close to home. I have been working with Jorge since the late 1990s, back when the Registry of Aruba was still a bold new idea. I saw firsthand what it took to bring it to life. I watched San Marino take shape and earn the trust of the global aviation community. And now, I have been following Gibraltar up close. In fact, if things continue the way I expect, I may move from one rock to the other to be part of this next chapter.

When I met him, he was just Jorge. He had previously served as an assistant naval attaché at the Honduran embassy and had a vision for a new kind of registry. Today, he is Sir Jorge, having been knighted by the Republic of San Marino in recognition of his contributions to civil aviation. But titles aside, he has always been the same Jorge. He is a true friend, a man of many friends, always laughing and always smiling, no matter the tides or the turbulence.

A Vision That Keeps Flying

What began in Aruba as a bold, untested idea has now become a trusted model. San Marino took it further and proved it could scale. And Gibraltar is now poised to do the same or is likely to raise the bar even higher.

With strong legal systems, efficient regulatory frameworks, and the kind of flexibility operators are looking for, boutique registries are no longer just alternatives. They are becoming destinations of choice. I fully expect Gibraltar to ramp up quickly and eventually take its place alongside San Marino as one of the top-tier registries in the world. This model has proven its value, and its future is only just beginning.

See you next week for more stories at the crossroads of policy, aviation, and global strategy. Until then, explore all my blogs and podcast episodes at www.lincolngomez.com.