The event, which took place in Paris at the end of October, was attended by many of the major players in this rapidly growing sector of the aviation market. The Island is becoming a significant force in the private and business aircraft sector, thanks to the introduction earlier this year of the Isle of Man Aircraft Register - the first dedicated business aircraft register in Europe.

Brian Johnson commented: "Exposure at conferences such as ‘The Future of Business Jets' can only benefit those companies on the Island offering specialist services to the aircraft industry, and the Isle of Man economy as a whole."

The conference covered a wide range of topics, including market developments, chartering, financing, fractional ownership, security and the new generation of business jets. Delegates included aircraft owners and operators, brokers, manufacturers, specialist lawyers, insurers, and multinational corporations.

Captain John Hills, formerly Chief Flight Examiner at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and now an aviation consultant with Equiom, delivered a presentation on how to reach high net worth individuals who either own, or have the potential to own, aircraft for private or business use - a key target market for the industry. Captain Hill's presentation drew on Equiom's extensive experience in the superyacht market, which has many similarities to and synergies with the executive jet market.

According to Katherine Ellis, Head of Equiom‘s Aviation and Yachting division: "This was a great opportunity for the Isle of Man to promote itself to a European audience. The Island's aircraft register, which is still only in its infancy, is growing at a remarkably fast pace and we at Equiom already have an expanding portfolio of jets under management".

Brian Johnson concluded: "The success of the Island's new aircraft register will owe much to co-operation between Government and private sector companies such as Equiom. The aircraft register has got off to the best possible start, thanks largely to the close working relationship between companies and government".