#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.