The Tribune

A Bahamian fixed base operator (FBO) yesterday became the first in the Caribbean to receive International Standard for Business Aircraft Handlers (IS-BAH) accreditation.

Charles Bowe, Jet Nassau’s general manager, said the award shows the business is certified to safely handle corporate aircraft and give consumers confidence as they travel to and from the FBO based at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

“This IS-BAH award is recognised globally as the highest award available in corporate aviation today. There’s so many standards that have to be met, so many processes. This accomplishment recognised Jet Nassau as being certified to handle all models’ types of corporate aircrafts globally,” said Mr Bowe.

“Now, our clients can be reassured that when they arrive here, our persons are trained, the product that we offer is safe, the equipment that we offer is well maintained, and it’s checked to the highest level. This level of confidence that that our clients have now, it’s additional reassurance that their multi-million dollar piece of equipment and their people are safe arriving into The Bahamas, which is paramount in in the handling of not only equipment, but people.”

IS-BAH is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). It aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of business and general aviation ground handling service providers on a global level.

Mr Bowe said that, since Jet Nassau has completed the first phase, it will continue to grow within the IS-BAH organisation and work to partner with other local FBOs to raise corporate aviation to a “first world level”.

“This is a multi-step certification, and to enter into the first step, it’s constant growth in the IS-BAH organisation. Our next step is to be recognised, and actually to partner with other FBOs in The Bahamas, in the region, to bring them up to the same safety level and recognition,” said Mr Bowe.

“I want the whole Bahamas to be recognised as the standard for corporate aviation in the world. Certainly, I want to bring us to that first world level. That’s my dream.”

Dr Kenneth Romer, the Government’s director of aviation, said the National Aviation Strategic Plan, launched in 2023, included strengthening strategic partnerships including with Bahamian FBOs to improve tourism growth and passenger safety. He added that private aviation companies bring high-end clients into the destination and are a valuable part of the tourism industry.

“When we look at our overall tourism growth and performance, the percentage of private aviation might appear to be small, but the value they bring to stopover arrivals is significant. They bring high value clients to our destination, and what we see today is as a result of strategic planning,” said Dr Romer.

“Not only do we endeavour to strengthen our strategic partnerships and relationships, but we’ve been laser-focused on operational efficiency and also improving safety and security. We have challenged all of our various aviation agencies and our stakeholders to look at the global best practices, to pursue them, to model them, and to mirror them to the benefit of the travelling public.”

Dr Romer said the award is the first given to a Caribbean FBO and demonstrates safety standards in Bahamian aviation. He added that the industry has an “extremely good track record” and qualified professionals that ensure partner comply with the regulations.

“This particular recognition is not just the first for The Bahamas, but it’s the first for the region, and that speaks about how we have been intentional about positioning The Bahamas as the regional leader in aviation,” said Dr Romer.

“The Bahamas aviation industry has an extremely good track record. We have a regulatory framework that is manned by professionals. We have our partners such as Jet Nassau, who are doing what they can to ensure that they are also adhering to a culture of safety and security.

“So while there could be some concerns, I am very confident that our aviation agencies are doing all they can to assure that there is adherence to global best practices for aviation safety and security.”