Bahamas now in control of its sovereign airspace
n Country could collect up to $350 million from overflight airlines over ten years
The government of The Bahamas yesterday signed an historic air navigation services agreement with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the monitoring of The Bahamas’ sovereign airspace for a period of ten years at no cost, Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar announced yesterday at the agreement signing ceremony, adding that the country could collect up to $350 million from overflight airlines over that ten years.
D’Aguilar explained that while the FAA has been monitoring this country’s airspace for some time, there has never been a formal agreement in place. And while the FAA’s monitoring of the airspace will be done at no cost, his country will have to pay an annual $80,000 fee to acquire data on airlines passing through The Bahamas’ airspace.
Airlines must pay to fly in Bahamas’ airspace
Govt projects $300-350 million intake over next 10 years
NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas, for the first time in its history, is assuming management of its sovereign airspace in a move that could yield $300 to $350 million over the next 10 years, according to Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar.
The Bahamas has now signed a 10-year air navigation services agreement with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), which could be extended for an additional 36 months.
Under the new agreement, as of May 1, 2021, aircraft landing in and departing out of the sovereign airspace of The Bahamas, aircraft flying solely in the airspace of The Bahamas and aircraft flying over the sovereign airspace of The Bahamas will start paying fees to the newly established Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority, (BANSA) an entity solely owned and operated by the Bahamian government.
(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.