Guernsey aircraft registry name may be challenged
The name of Guernsey's aircraft registry, which was launched earlier, could be challenged by Jersey States.
The two islands were working on a joint scheme until September when they went separate ways over differences in operational and commercial interests.
Guernsey launched the Channel Islands Aircraft Registry, while Jersey plans to launch its own version next year.
Deputy Kevin Stewart, Guernsey's Commerce and Employment Minister, said it was too late to change the name.
Legal action threat
Senator Alan Maclean, Jersey's Minister for Economic Development, said: "[It's] fundamentally wrong in our opinion and inappropriate for Guernsey to seek unfair commercial advantage over Jersey by seeking to appropriate a name and branding that is misleading."
He said the island may launch a legal action if Guernsey did not change the name.
Jersey released its plans for a registry on Friday, in what some people have referred to as a "provocative timing" just days ahead of the Guernsey launch.
Deputy Kevin Stewart said: "We left the door open for them but we couldn't change our marketing at the last hour... I hope they will be successful with their registry as we will be with ours."
He said he had pushed for the work to get the registry up and running as "every day we don't have a registry is an opportunity lost".
Deputy Stewart said: "Over the first three years hopefully [it will generate] about £18m into our corporate service providers, so that's the legal profession, insurance and everything else like that."
He said the aim was to have 125 aircraft registered within three years.
The Isle of Man launched a registry in May 2007 to encourage legal and insurance business to the island and in July 2012 its 500th contract was signed.
Guernsey registrations will have a 2 followed by four letters, such as 2-ABCD.