Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Aviation Authority ‘Crack-Down’ on Illegal Air Charter Operations
#Nassau, June 12, 2019 – Bahamas – Officials at the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) have, within the past twelve months, implemented a number of initiatives designed to end the practice of illegal air charter operations within Bahamian airspace.
Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar told Parliamentarians in his 2019-2020 Budget Contribution, June 6, in the House of Assembly that the Authority has diligently implemented “anti-hacking” initiatives through increased airport surveillance; launched public awareness campaigns to highlight the risks of traveling on illegal aircraft charters; proposed reforms to the civil aviation laws governing private pilots and general aviation operations; and pushed for strict enforcement of civil and criminal proceedings against illegal charter operators, as part of the measures to end the practice of illegal air charters in Bahamian airspace.
“Those involved in this nefarious activity have been encouraged to regularize their affairs through the Authority and become properly licensed pilots and charter operators,” Mr. D’Aguilar said. “In that regard, the Authority has streamlined its certification process for obtaining the single pilot Air Operators Certificate and has hosted several industry meetings to encourage prospective pilots to certify their activities properly.”
Additionally, the Authority has recently introduced new Regulations that will require additional screening of all persons gaining access to the secured areas of the General Aviation section. Further all Bahamian Persons holding Foreign issued licenses will be required to have those licenses converted to licenses issued by the Authority for the sole purpose of increased surveillance of the persons involved.
Minister D’Aguyilar said the Authority will further increase enforcement activities and aggressively pursue criminal and/or civil penalties against all persons committing any activity that is not in compliance with Regulatory requirements.
“Those persons who choose to remain unregulated are engaging in criminal activities. Further, persons facilitating these activities also share culpability. To reiterate, all pilots seeking access to restricted areas of the General Aviation section of LPIA are now required to be in possession of a valid identification badge issued by the Security Department of the Airport Authority. A condition of gaining that badge is that the pilot is properly licensed to operate an aircraft in The Bahamas.
“(Second), all Bahamian Persons holding foreign issued licenses issued by other States must now apply to have those licenses converted to Bahamian licenses, thus falling under the full scrutiny of the BCAA. Pilots will be required to show proper levels of training and, regency of experience on type of aircraft being flown.
“(Third), all foreign registered aircraft based anywhere in The Bahamas for a period longer than that allowed by the Act/Regulations must be registered with the BCAA, showing proof of ownership and be on an approved maintenance programme with a valid airworthiness certificate.
“(Fourth), all areas engaged in general aviation activities will be subjected to increasing scrutiny and surveillance to interdict and discourage unauthorized flight operations.”
Minister D’Aguilar said the Authority seeks to facilitate an environment that promotes a safe, efficient and profitable aviation sector and strives to have an industry with the least possible number of incidents and pilots who are fully regulated, responsible, and willing to abide by the Authority’s rules and regulations.
“The Authority believes that its mandate, moral and ethical obligation to the flying public to demand the highest level of safety. It is expected that these initiatives from the past year will discourage and eventually eradicate the insidious practice of illegal air charters.”
Mr. D’Aguilar said industry stakeholders and other national agencies are also engaged in a collaborative effort to enact additional legislation and regulations, impose stricter enforcement actions, increase successful prosecutions of the offending pilots, and implement new initiatives to educate travelers and pilots about the risks of illegal air charters.
By Matt Maura
Release: BIS
(BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
Bahamas News
Environment State-Minister updates ‘Our Ocean’ forum on The Bahamas as SIDS leader in sustainable tourism
Bahamas Information Services
April 24, 2024
NASSAU, The Bahamas – In his remarks at the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, State-Minister in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, pledged The Bahamas’ unwavering commitment to the practice of sustainability and emphasized that the nation remains dedicated to the development of innovative measures to adapt to, and mitigate harm to the oceanic environment.
He shared challenges and successes of The Bahamas as a leader in sustainable tourism as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). The
conference was held April 15-17, 2024 on the theme “Our Ocean – An Ocean of Potential” . It marked the official launch of Sustainable Tourism in the Mediterranean.
The conference focused on these topics:
*Sustainable tourism in coastal areas and Islands
*Reduction of marine plastic and micro-plastic pollution
*Green transition in the Mediterranean Sea and
*Green Shipping
Minister Lightbourne told participants that the health of The Bahamas’ seas, oceans and marine ecosystems is threatened by:
*Unsustainable practices, such as illegal discharges into the marine environment
*Marine litter, such as discarded fishing gear and micro-plastics
*Illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing
*Unsustainable shipping and tourism activities
He said, “We must have a common response to these challenges that propel us into action both separately and collectively – and to determine the most effective sustainable initiatives that will serve as the antidote to our common, global, environmental threat.”
He noted the effects of rising ocean temperatures, the exposure of residents to threats, hurricanes and extreme coral bleaching. “The crippling impact to our coastal communities have put our country at the forefront of the climate crisis, with immediate responses needed to alleviate calamity.
“We have built resilience in these areas by implementing ecosystem-based solutions. The government has adopted a No Net Loss approach to mangroves, corals and pine forests. We have enacted a ban on selected single-use plastics that prohibits these items from import. We are training and retooling professionals across sectors to address our local, regional and international challenges.
“The Bahamas is investing millions of US dollars to the effective management of our Marine Protected Areas, which includes equipping Protected Area Managers to patrol, protect and conserve our natural environment,” he said.
State-Minister Lightbourne also outlined some of the initiatives that have been launched in The Bahamas in alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #14 — Sustainable Oceans/Life Below Water.
They are:
- Mission for Mangroves
In 2022, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation launched Mission for the Mangroves which promotes mangrove stock replenishment and regeneration. Mangroves are also a protected species in country since 2021, under the Forestry Act. -
The Coral Reef Restoration Project
Launched in 2023, the project facilitates the establishment of Coral Nurseries through a network of dive operators who offer out-planting packages to visiting divers. The project aims to establish and maintain 50 Coral Nurseries across the Bahamian archipelago.
-
Economic Growth/Decent Work – SDGs 8,11, 13
The Andros Community-based Tourism Cluster Project seeks to position Andros as the premier ecotourism destination within the country, fostering economic diversification within tourism. -
Nature-based services at BAMSI (Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute)
BAMSI is a tertiary institution for Marine Science that offers nationally accredited certification courses in flats-fishing and nature tourism, particularly for youth. To underscore the Government’s commitment to Sustainable Tourism, legislation has been enacted that requires flats-fishing guides in The Bahamas, to be certified and licensed. In January of this year, 40 trained and newly certified Guides graduated from BAMSI.
These projects are transformative and focus on creating a tourism sector that is environmentally sustainable, intent on preserving nature, communities, and culture.
PHOTO CAPTION
The Hon. Zane Lightbourne, State-Minister in the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, recently led a delegation to Athens, Greece, where he addressed the 9th Our Ocean Conference.
(Photos/Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources)
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