This article outlines recent developments relevant to the Bahamas' aviation industry. These include new post-vaccine requirements for flight crew, the recent International Civil Aviation Organization audit, the effect of the omicron variant on Bahamian airlines and upcoming developments at Grand Bahama airport.
In 2020 the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB) made several important advances despite the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
restoring and boosting air travel to, from and within The Bahamas – efforts which are ongoing;
presenting three pieces of legislation to Parliament; and
addressing other ongoing challenges.
Air travel protocols
The Bahamas Travel Health Visa website updates users on the protocols to follow when travelling to and from The Bahamas in light of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (8) Order 2020 (for further details please see Efforts to restore and boost air travel ). The protocols have resulted in an increase in the number of arrivals to The Bahamas.
(PHOTO: GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND BOARD)
NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas is close to finally monetizing its airspace, according to Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar, who noted that legislation debated in Parliament yesterday seeks to make that possible.
D’Aguilar led debate on a compendium of bills, namely the Civil Aviation Bill, 2021, the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Bill, 2021 and the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority Bill, 2021.
The Free Town MP noted that introduction of the Air Navigation Services Authority Bill with the insertion of the new terminology of Bahamas Administered Airspace, Bahamas Aircraft and Bahamas Territory provides The Bahamas with more economic control over its sovereign airspace and expands its aircraft registry capabilities. Section 5 of the bill allows the new civil aviation authority to enter into arrangements or partnerships with respect to the air navigation service.
Introduction
The introduction of three new bills will herald the dawning of a new age in aviation in The Bahamas and position the jurisdiction to attain the international recognition that it deserves. These bills – the Civil Aviation Bill 2020, the Civil Aviation Authority Bill 2020 and the Air Navigation Services Authority Bill 2020 – have been tabled before Cabinet and address the issues arising from, and remedy the defects found in, the 2017 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) audit, the current Civil Aviation Act 2016 and the Civil Aviation (General) Regulations 2017. The new legislation will repeal and consolidate the existing legislation and will better prepare The Bahamas for its next ICAO audit scheduled for October 2021.