The Opposition have claimed Government has understaffed the Bermuda Aircraft Register, leaving it open to safety concerns from the UK Government.

The UBP last night said this was the reason for the row over UK "interference" in the Island's registration of Russian aircraft.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan said: "The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audited the Bermuda Department of Civil Aviation in February 2009 and concluded Bermuda did not have a sufficient number of technical staff to effectively fulfil its safety oversight responsibilities. Those responsibilities include personnel licensing, aircraft operations, air worthiness, navigation services and aerodromes.

"And while these specific responsibilities devolve to the country of domicile <\!m> in this particular case Russia Bermuda retains oversight responsibilities."

He said staffing had "not kept pace" with the growth in the air registry.

"Records show 140 planes registered in 2003. Today there are more than 500 planes on the register. Despite this growth, staff numbers at the Department of Civil Aviation in the safety and regulatory area have remained relatively stagnant. "In 2004 there were ten people on staff, in 2009/10 there were 11, with the Government budgeting one more for this year."

Mr. Swan said: "The lack of oversight capacity is the nub of the UK Government's concerns, given that it has contingent liability for Bermuda's international obligations. "The Bermuda Government may have tried to cover staff shortfalls through additional outsourcing but this has clearly not satisfied UK concerns for the Department of Civil Aviation to employ more rigorous oversight capacity."

He said: "We don't know if the failure to move on the ICAO audit findings is due to complacency, indifference or expenditure. We do know the situation is unacceptable, given the potential reputational consequences for Bermuda.

"As Minister of Transport, Dr. (Ewart) Brown is responsible for the failure to make sure BDCA staffing kept pace with the growth of the aircraft registry. That he did so in the face of ICAO findings is inexcusable."

Mr. Swan went on to accuse the Premier of "spin", in explaining his trip to Russia as a mission to "save Bermuda's aircraft registry". Rather than being a "rescue mission" to protect millions of dollars in revenue from UK interference, Mr. Swan said the Premier's statement was aimed "to deflect attention from the Government's failure to sufficiently staff the registry".

Dr. Brown travelled to Moscow at the weekend to join Thomas Dunstan, Bermuda's Director of Civil Aviation, in discussions with the Russian authorities. Last week he said he was in talks over the air registry following concerns raised by the UK Government, that Bermuda's relationship with Russian aircraft was "a revenue raising business".

In 1999 the Island entered into an agreement with the Russian Aviation Authority, to carry out "certain safety regulatory oversight functions" of registered aircraft. But the UK Department of Transport was now claiming, "it is not clear how problems are addressed and which responsibilities are transferred under the agreement and which remain in Bermuda".

Dr. Brown said last week: "The UK Government has advised us that, in their opinion, 'Bermuda is conducting a revenue-raising business' and the Department would find it hard to accept the ongoing operation of the register in its current form at all.

"We hold the view that the United Kingdom is unjustifiably attempting to use certain technical aviation factors to adversely affect the viability and reputation of the Bermuda Aircraft Register and we will vigorously oppose these efforts."

The Premier said he will also hold talks with Governor Sir Richard Gozney on the issue. A formal response is also expected to be issued to the UK Government on his return from Moscow at the end of the week.

Dr. Brown said on Sunday: "We will strenuously oppose any interference in our Aircraft Registry. We would prefer it if the UK would give us an opportunity to make improvements to the Register."

He was unavailable for comment last night on the UBP's claims, but earlier yesterday released a statement saying Russian airline operators and officials had "consistent praise" for aircraft register. The Russians have also "welcomed" plans for a Civil Aviation unit at the London Bermuda office.

Dr. Brown yesterday met with airlines Aeroflot, S7 and UT Air, all of whom have Bermuda-registered aircraft. He also held meetings with Russia's Department of State Policy for Civil Aviation and the Federal Air Transport Agency. Governor Sir Richard said last night: "We do not oppose Bermuda registering aircraft which are in Russia. It is clearly useful business for the Island.

"Certain aspects of how Bermuda's Directorate of Civil Aviation meets the challenging task of registering and monitoring those hundreds of aircraft in Russia are under discussion between the British Government and Bermuda's Directorate of Civil Aviation and, of course, Bermuda's Minister for Transport, Dr Brown.

"We are looking to find a way to help this useful aircraft registration business continue."

In July 2007, the number of Bermuda Registered Aircraft reached 300, bringing $13 million in revenue into the economy.