The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Government yesterday moved to reform "outdated" aviation regulation by separating air navigation services from the Civil Aviation Authority and paving the way to charge overflight fees.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister for tourism and aviation, leading debate in the House of Assembly on the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority Bill 2021, the Civil Aviation Bill 2021 and the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Bill 2021 said they will create a separate aircraft accident investigation authority.

The air navigation services provided by air traffic controllers will be separated into their own authority, and the “foundation” will be established for a Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SRRC).

Mr D’Aguilar said of the SRCC's co-ordination capacity: “This will be achieved in collaboration with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and will ensure that The Bahamas adopts global industry standards and recommended practices with regards to search and rescue protocols and procedures.

"The establishment of the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority, along with its administrative and regulatory provisions, are contained in the current Civil Aviation Act. The introduction of the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Bill 2021 separates the administrative and regulatory functions of the authority from the provisions regulating the civil aviation industry.”

Mr D’Aguilar added that the current process for amending civil aviation regulations is too “long and cumbersome", but the director-general of civil aviation will now have the ability via the new legislation to speed up this process.

The legislative enhancements, Mr D’Aguilar added, will also "make way for an enhanced aircraft registry and the charging of air navigation services such as overflight and terminal and navigation fees, thereby creating a self-sustaining aviation regulatory environment and lessening the need to rely solely on public funds for its funding".

The Air Navigation Services Authority Bill "will establish the responsibilities, powers and functions of the new authority, and it will demonstrate to both domestic and international stakeholders the Government's commitment to establishing a futuristic strategy for the provision and the charging of air navigation services within the Bahamas’ sovereign airspace".

The new Air Navigation Service Authority will be empowered to charge air navigation service fees, such as overflight fees, for aircraft that fly through and transit The Bahamas' air space.