The U.K. government has decided not to require foreign aircraft based in the U.K. to be registered in the U.K. But parliamentary under-secretary of state Gillian Merron says the U.K. government remains convinced that widespread flagging out of aircraft based in the U.K. is undesirable.

The Department of Transport says European proposals published in November 2005 to extend the scope of common European aviation safety rules may provide scope for "a better means of achieving that objective in a proportionate way."

It cites a proposal to establish a European Aviation Safety Agency. This proposal specifically amends the scope of the EASA regulation to include a category of aircraft registered in a third country and used into, within or out of, the European Union by an operator established or residing in the EU.

There was widespread opposition to proposals to limit the time foreign aircraft could spend in the UK to perhaps 90 days in any 12 months.

Protestors emphasised the costs and commercial disadvantages; the relatively fewer aircraft and parts that are certified by the CAA as compared to the FAA or other authorities; and the widespread recognition and acceptance of FAA licences and certificates worldwide. They suggested incentives should be introduced for owners to register their aircraft on the U.K. register.

Many suggested they would move their aircraft to the U.K. register if CAA certification of aircraft and parts became more extensive.