Bahamas Civil Aviation On Course to a Bright Future.

On behalf of our board members, management, flight safety and security inspectorate, and our entire team at the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAA-B), I welcome you on board the national flag carrier Bahamasair and wish you a pleasant flight and stay in The Bahamas. I congratulate the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and its citizenry, on its 50th anniversary of independence.

Aviation has soared to new and dizzying heights in the past 50 years. Technical advances and innovations in aviation over this period have led to astonishing growth in commercial and general aviation, air travel around the world which is now more accessible than ever to mankind. Indeed, The Bahamas has experienced substantial growth in its domestic and international commercial and general aviation sectors. The Bahamas is to be congratulated in becoming a regional leader in these sectors.

At present, there are 36 Bahamian-owned commercial air carriers (AOC’s) in operation, and nearly 300 foreign air carriers who collectively provide airlift to, from and/or within The Bahamas to 28 government-owned Aerodromes and nearly as many privately owned Aerodromes. The Bahamas is witnessing an unprecedented influx of commercial aircraft charters and privately owned aircraft transporting persons to the Islands of the Bahamas from all corners of the world as new technologies permit aircraft to fly farther, whilst also being able to operate into and from shorter runways. It is widely reported that The Bahamas is now a world leader in top destinations on the global jet set circuit, and this is clearly evident at fixed base operations at LPIA, North Eleuthera, Marsh Harbour and George Town Exuma Aerodromes.

Civil Aviation in The Bahamas is currently at the nucleus of one of the most exciting eras in the development of a modern Bahamas. The upward trajectory of The Bahamas aviation industry has been fuelled by buoyant foreign investment and increased demand for air travel in the tourism and domestic aviation sectors, which facilitates connectivity by air travel to all of our major islands, a number of our cays, and to remote spots and secluded hideaways on land and sea. Travel by seaplane and helicopter is on the rise, as is recreational aviation such as sky diving and others are being contemplated. Air cargo operations within The Bahamas have also increased dramatically. The Bahamas Government is now a regional partner in commercial space travel alongside the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and SpaceX.

The future looks bright for the aviation industry in The Bahamas. Projects for Aerodrome improvements or redevelopment are planned or already underway. Bahamian air carriers are increasing and modernizing their aircraft fleets. Specialised careers and employment opportunities in the sector have also increased.

In addition to expanding air transport networks, improvements in infrastructure and our national air carrier fleets, which have come a long way in the past 50 years, and are today more competitive, The Bahamas’ civil aviation sector remains a major pillar of support to the national economy, and, by all accounts, will continue to be one during the next 50 years, due to its direct impact on enhancing the country’s competitiveness and connectivity, as well as its critical role in supporting investment, tourism and trade.

Since its operational establishment in or about October 2017, CAA-B has strived to lay a firm foundation for restructuring, efficient regulation and enhancement of

Alexander B. Ferguson LLB, CPL Director General

The Bahamas’ civil aviation sector with integrity, vision, ambition and in full support of the national strategies for the sustainable development of The Bahamas.

As the state regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the safe, secure and sustainable development of The Bahamas’ civil aviation industry, in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas Act, 2021 and the Civil Aviation Act, 2021, and in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices, CAA-B is mandated and firmly committed to ensuring that our national and international air travelling public experience a safe, secure and efficient commercial air transportation system whilst in The Bahamas.

Unprecedented growth in air commercial travel will continue to bring unprecedented challenges, and the sustainability of the national and international civil aviation industries should be of concern to all stakeholders. Recent global events caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic struck our industry at its core, but we have bounced back, more resilient, and better prepared for whatever the future may have in store. A defining trait of the global civil aviation industry has been its ability to demonstrate resilience and innovation when faced with unprecedented challenges, which has led the industry to overcome crises and become the indispensable means of air transportation we travel on today, which contributes to global and national economies and now provides a level of connectivity to and within The Bahamas we should all be proud of and continue to enhance.

Aware that future challenges will no doubt come, CAA-B has strategically positioned itself to provide regulatory oversight of The Bahamas civil aviation industry to foster sound and sustainable development in the sector given our strong dependence on national and international civil aviation as the preferred choice of transportation and the critical role it plays in enhancing The Bahamas’ economy and development. In this regard, CAA-B supports sector liberalization and expansion through Air Services Agreements with other ICAO-contracting states. CAA-B appreciates that the interdependent nature of civil aviation involves a collaborative approach with industry stakeholders, which it has adopted. As part of the aviation community, CAA-B is committed to developing and implementing strategies that focus on the reduction of the environmental impact of aviation, and a more sustainable aviation sector as a common goal. CAA-B seeks to enlighten and instil confidence in the travelling public, satisfy industry requirements and update stakeholders on regulatory and other important developments and trends in aviation safety and security.

On behalf of us all at CAA-B, I want to thank all stakeholders for their continued commitment and diligence in ensuring that air travel within The Bahamas remains safe, secure and efficient for the travelling public and will remain so for the next 50 years. CAA-B looks forward to continued engagement and positive stakeholder relationships, as we strive to ensure that The Bahamas remains a world-class leader in the commercial and general aviation air transportation industry. UA

Happy 50th independence Bahamas!

Alexander Berkley Ferguson Director General Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas