ZD or VP-G: Gibraltar launches its own aircraft registry with 6 possible prefixes

Gibraltar has launched its first aircraft registry, creating a new aviation industry for the British Overseas Territory and introducing five ZD- registrations for civil aircraft as well as maintaining the initially planned VP-G registration.

The Gibraltar Aircraft Registry was formally unveiled in May and is being developed alongside the new Gibraltar Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which will provide regulatory oversight.

Gibraltar launches its first commercial aircraft registry

The registry represents the culmination of several years of work to establish the legal and regulatory framework required for Gibraltar to become an aircraft state of registry.

It also adds Gibraltar to a competitive international market that includes specialist registries such as the Isle of Man, San Marino, Aruba, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Which aircraft registration prefixes can Gibraltar use?

Aircraft joining the new registry will use registrations beginning with ZD- or VP-G.

Earlier Gibraltar Civil Aviation Authority announcements had identified VP-G as the nationality mark in 2025. However, when the registry was presented to the aviation industry in May, the ZD series was added.

Gibraltar’s current Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), last revised on 5 May 2026, lists ZD-A, ZD-B, ZD-C, ZD-D and ZD-E, as well as VP-G, among the nationality marks reserved for Gibraltar-registered civil aircraft. A two-letter registration mark follows the nationality mark.

Why Gibraltar introduced the ZD registration series

VP-G gives Gibraltar roughly 676 registrations with two letters added. Five ZD series, with two letters following, provide around 3,380 combinations. So introducing ZD dramatically increases Gibraltar’s pool of available registrations. 

The five ZD variants can also support vanity registrations, such as ZD-ACE or ZD-CEO, depending on the specific series used.

Gibraltar unveils aircraft registry to aviation industry

The Government of Gibraltar held an industry briefing for the new registry on 21 May 2026.

Minister for Commercial Aviation Christian Santos said the registry would create opportunities for Gibraltar’s established professional services sector.

Sir Jorge Colindres, owner of Aviation Registry Group, also addressed the event.

His group already has experience establishing and operating specialist aircraft registries, including those of Aruba and San Marino.

Colindres said Gibraltar offered significant advantages as a registration jurisdiction and expressed confidence that the new operation could repeat the success of those registries.

The Gibraltar Aircraft Registry is headed by Lindy Castillo, who previously helped establish the San Marino Aircraft Registry.

Why Gibraltar is targeting business and corporate aviation

The initial focus will be on private and corporate aircraft rather than large commercial airline fleets.

That places Gibraltar in competition with several jurisdictions that have developed specialist aircraft registries serving internationally operated business aircraft.

Aircraft owners can choose these jurisdictions for reasons including regulatory oversight, legal structures, aircraft financing arrangements and access to specialist legal, insurance and corporate services.

Gibraltar believes its existing financial and professional services sector could provide an advantage.

“The Rock has a well-established financial services centre, which is breaking new ground in respect of financial products involving blockchain,” Corporate Jet Investor quotes Christian Santos, MP and minister of commercial aviation, as saying during the launch. “Gibraltar has a well-established and internationally recognised maritime registry, and we felt it was high time for an aircraft register.”

New aviation authority oversees Gibraltar registry

The registry has required Gibraltar to expand its civil aviation regulatory infrastructure substantially.

The Gibraltar Civil Aviation Authority replaced the territory’s previous Department of Civil Aviation. It will provide regulatory oversight of aircraft registered in Gibraltar.

Chris Purkiss, Director General of the GCAA, has been Gibraltar’s aviation regulator since 2009 and previously served in the Royal Air Force.

Gibraltar has also introduced a package of aviation operating regulations covering areas including aircraft registration, airworthiness, maintenance, licensing and operations.

In July, Gibraltar’s government said 18 new Aviation Operating Regulations had been published to support the aircraft registry and ensure compliance with the Chicago Convention.

The UK Department for Transport also has an oversight role. As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is represented internationally through the UK, including at the International Civil Aviation Organisation.