A former director of the Department of Civil Aviation has defended Government's handling of the Aircraft Registry against Opposition criticism.

Ian MacIntyre said the DCA was already addressing the staffing issue when the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) undertook its audit.

He added Government has increased the Department's budget year-on-year, "to adequately cope with the increased safety oversight duties associated with the greater number of aircraft on the register".

Earlier this week the UBP claimed Government had understaffed the Bermuda Aircraft Register, leaving it open to UK questioning.

The Opposition said this was the real reason for the current row over UK "interference" in Bermuda's registration of Russian aircraft.

UBP Leader Kim Swan said an audit by the ICAO in February 2009 stated Bermuda did not have enough technical staff to fulfil its safety oversight responsibilities.

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

"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," said Mr. Swan.

The Premier and Thomas Dunstan, Director of Civil Aviation, this week met with Russian airline operators, Government and aviation officials in Moscow, following concerns by the UK that Bermuda's relationship with Russian aircraft was "a revenue-raising business".

Premier Ewart Brown said: "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."

On Wednesday he addressed criticism from the Opposition, saying: "Government was aware that resources were stretched prior to the ICAO audit, and had placed restrictions on the growth of the register for a period of five months.

"During this period Government provided support to the Department of Civil Aviation to increase the number of contracted inspectors, and developed a plan to hire temporary staff as an interim measure.

"Whilst the published full-time employees for DCA have shown little growth, resources have been engaged to ensure oversight responsibilities are carried out."

Mr. MacIntyre last night backed Dr. Brown's comments. Speaking from his position as DCA Director from 1999-2007, he said: "We were already aware of the manning (staffing) level matter at the time of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's audit and were already working on addressing it.

"The Government was well informed on the growth of the aircraft register, and the Department of Civil Aviation's budget has been considerably increased each financial year to adequately cope with the increased safety oversight duties associated with the greater number of aircraft on the register, as can be seen in the budget figures."

He added: "In the case of aircraft registered in Bermuda and which are operated by Russian airlines, the Bermuda DCA transfers much of the safety oversight of these aircraft operations to the Russian Civil Aviation Authority under an ICAO approved arrangement, but retains the responsibility for the 'airworthiness' of these aircraft.

"The inspection of these aircraft required to ensure their airworthiness has always been outsourced under an approved contract with the French company Bureau Veritas (BV) and this contract gets expanded on a regular basis to keep pace with the register's growth.

"BV is a very reputable organisation and is highly regarded by the international authorities."