The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A skydiving excursion provider yesterday said it is burning through $8,400 per month on renting a plane it cannot use as it battles to obtain the necessary licences and permits.

Vans Johnson, Sky Dive Bahamas chief executive, told Tribune Business he is still not licensed to offer sky diving excursions. The licence he received from the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAAB) was only for a seven-day period, not an annual licence, even though he aims to offer regular excursions and not a one-time event.

“My last monthly invoice was $8,400 a month. I have to find $8,400 a month, or find a way to send money for them to hold my plane," Mr Johnson added.

Documents seen by Tribune Business show Civil Aviation had only licensed Sky Dive Bahamas from November 3 to November 10, and not on an annual basis. The provisional letter, signed by the CAAB's director-general, said all jumps must begin at 6,000 feet and from five miles outside the Moss Town, Great Exuma airport.

Mr Johnson added: “I’m not going to deal any drugs. I’m not going to steal anything from anybody. All I want to do is make some money the way I believe. I know I can make $20,000 a day. Let me make it legally.”

He estimated that he can handle up to 20 bookings or more per day at a price of $700 per person, and said: “I’m not surprised about the delay. I’m not disappointed because I know it is going to be a success. I just know that.”

However, Mr Johnson said he is disappointed in that there appears to be a 'glass ceiling' on what ventures Bahamians can get involved in. “If I was selling conch salad or opening a chicken shack, I would not have a problem. But because I’m doing something different, new and exciting for The Bahamas, I’m encountering all types of obstacles and problems,” he added.

“Their lawyer told me that I have the approval. We just need you to apply for each date when you are going to do something. So I can’t open up in the morning. I’m not running events, I’m running tours.”

This licensing snag is just one of the remaining obstacles facing Sky Dive Bahamas before it can launch operations. This newspaper previously reported that the company needed specialised insurance coverage before it can be featured on the Ministry of Tourism's Bahamas.com website.

E-mail correspondence from CAAB recognises Sky Dive Bahamas as a company offering tours, and further asks it to make formal requests for each following jump that they offer in the future. This is not something Mr Johnson finds advantageous, and he is seeking to negotiate a better arrangement with the aviation regulator so he can operate his business more efficiently.

Tribune Business calls to CAAB yesterday were not returned as the director and deputy director were said to be unavailable and out of office.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m doing my best to stay positive. But, right now, because of what they did to me, my future partners and I are waiting on whatever we can get up because our plane costs $30,000 to bring in. When we first started, it only cost me $5,000 to bring in the plane. But I owe over $100,000 now.”