Aircraft Ownership & Structuring

Aircraft Ownership & Structuring

We are trusted by owners and operators of private and commercial aircraft to simplify the complexity of aircraft ownership and operation, removing the administrative and regulatory burden from owners and family offices. With a globally established team, recognised for the scale and depth of its aviation expertise, operating across key jurisdictions including the Crown Dependencies, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the United Kingdom (UK), Equiom provides end to end aviation services to clients across the European Union (EU), the UK and beyond.

Aircraft Ownership Services and Lifecycle Support

The effective management and performance of any complex asset class requires technical experience, diligence and sustained oversight. Integrating an aircraft into a private or family office structure can materially impact investment strategy, governance and tax lability exposure. Equiom supports clients by providing relationship led fiduciary, VAT, Customs and accounting expertise, combined with a deep understanding of international private and commercial aviation and its local regulatory nuances.

Our aviation services support ownership, operation, management and importation across the full aircraft lifecycle, tailored to the needs of private clients, family offices and operators. We work closely with owners and their advisers, providing fiduciary, VAT, Customs and accounting expertise to help structure, manage and operate aircraft efficiently and compliantly over the long term.

Our aviation services include:

• Establishment and ongoing management of private, business, commercial and fractional aircraft ownership structures, including trusts, partnerships and corporate entities
• Provision of experienced professional directors, responsible officer services, registered agent and registered office support
• Aircraft registration support, including multi-jurisdictional regulatory considerations and liaison with relevant authorities
• UK and EU aircraft importation planning and execution
• Finance, banking and accounting support, including bookkeeping, statutory reporting and financial management
• Day to day administration and coordination with key aviation counterparties, including operators, pilots, maintenance providers, flight support teams and aircraft management companies, covering documentation, insurance and flight log oversight

The sections below outline two core areas of Equiom’s aircraft support offering for owners and operators.

Aircraft ownership, structuring & ongoing support

Owning and operating a private or commercial aircraft represents a significant commercial and personal investment. The ownership and holding structure underpinning the aircraft can affect governance, oversight, tax, risk exposure and day to day operational administration across jurisdictions.

Equiom provides independent, long term aircraft support to owners, families and operators throughout the aircraft lifecycle, ensuring ownership structures remain appropriate, robust and well managed as operating or personal circumstances evolve.

We support clients across the aircraft lifecycle, from aircraft procurement, ownership structuring and governance to ongoing administration, regulatory liaison and cross border issue resolution, and ultimately the sale of the aircraft.

Aircraft importation & free circulation

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, aviation related VAT and Customs considerations must be assessed within the relevant UK or EU territory. For many business aircraft owners and operators, securing free circulation status remains a key operational objective that requires careful planning, accurate documentation and tax authority engagement.

Equiom delivers a practical, end to end aircraft importation service for aircraft holding entities, owners and operators, supporting entry into the UK and/or EU in a VAT and or Customs efficient manner while aligning with commercial timelines.

UK & EU aircraft importation support

• Representation for UK and non-UK, EU and non-EU aircraft holding entities
• Documentation, liaison and pre-clearance support with relevant VAT and Customs authorities, including post import certification (C88 / SAD where applicable)
• Ozone Depleting Substance and or Fluorinated Gases licensing compliance support prior to UK and or EU importation 
• Post import certification (C88 / SAD where applicable)

If you are considering aircraft ownership, registration or importation, our aviation team can provide practical, jurisdiction led support tailored to your circumstances.

This content has been carefully prepared and is provided for general information purposes only. It offers a high-level overview of certain services available across the Equiom Group and does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory, investment or other professional advice. 
Not all services are provided by every Equiom Group office or entity. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact our team or an Equiom Group office of your choosing.
 

Other related services

• Private Client & Family Luxury Asset Management

• Wealth Structuring & Succession Planning

• Corporate Structuring for Luxury Assets

• Real Estate

• Superyacht Ownership & Structuring

• Crewing Services