The complexity of cross-border transferability of aircraft arises when there are different requirements on the registration process between States. Such differences may include age-based restrictions, management of stateless aircraft, standardization of information exchange and the de-registration process, the issuance of an Export Certificate of Airworthiness.
An owner will need to know and comply with aircraft registration, de-registration and airworthiness requirements of both the Exporting and Importing States.
The owner should perform conformity gap analysis based on the Export Certificate of Airworthiness to ensure that the aircraft conforms to the airworthiness requirements of the Importing State for issuance of the Certificate of Airworthiness. If the conformity gap analysis shows that the airworthiness requirements of the Importing State are not met, then the owner should perform maintenance as required.
Depending on the location and registration of the aircraft, the owner (or person on behalf of the owner) may need to apply for non-revenue special flight approval/authorisation/permit if the aircraft has to be moved for maintenance before the issuance of the Certificate of Airworthiness. In addition, the owner (or person on behalf of the owner) may need to obtain other authorisations to be able to overfly and land in other States' territory as required.
