New agreement enables San Marino-registered aircraft to operate commercially under Aruba-issued Air Operator Certificates.
ORANJESTAD, Aruba, September 8, 2026 – The Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCA-A) and the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority (SM-CAA) have executed a new regulatory oversight agreement establishing a framework for San Marino-registered aircraft to operate commercially under Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) issued by Aruba.
Signed on September 7, the agreement strengthens cooperation between the two jurisdictions by clearly defining and coordinating safety oversight responsibilities, with San Marino acting as the State of Registry and Aruba as the State of Operator.
The Registry of Aruba and the San Marino Aircraft Registry (SMAR) welcome this important milestone, which provides aircraft owners and operators with greater flexibility while maintaining high standards of regulatory oversight and international aviation safety.
“This strengthens the relationship between our two jurisdictions while creating a clear framework for aircraft owners and operators whose registration and commercial operating requirements span San Marino and Aruba,” said Sir Jorge Colindres, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Registry of Aruba. “The value lies in having two civil aviation authorities working closely together, with clearly defined responsibilities and a shared commitment to safety and effective oversight.”
What This Means for Owners and Operators
The framework applies to eligible San Marino-registered aircraft operating commercially under an Aruba-issued AOC. It establishes how both authorities will cooperate across key areas including aircraft operations and airworthiness, certification, maintenance, personnel licensing and aircraft records.
“International aircraft ownership increasingly requires regulatory structures that recognize how aircraft are actually operated,” said David Colindres, President of the San Marino Aircraft Registry. “This provides qualifying owners and operators with a clear framework for combining San Marino registration with commercial operation under an Aruba AOC, while ensuring that both civil aviation authorities remain closely coordinated throughout the operation of the aircraft.”
Ongoing Regulatory Cooperation
The agreement establishes continued cooperation between DCA-A and SM-CAA through regular communication, safety oversight reviews, documentation sharing and inspections.
The framework will remain effective for three years and may be renewed by mutual agreement, further reinforcing the longstanding relationship between Aruba and San Marino.
