NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis defended the government’s decision to implement new entry and departure fees for private pilots on Thursday, stating that the measures were not “unreasonable.” This comes as the world’s largest group of private pilots has issued a travel advisory for The Bahamas, labeling the fee increases as “substantial and egregious.”
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), representing 300,000 private plane owners and pilots, has alerted its members to the “egregious new fees” imposed by The Bahamas. AOPA’s president, Mark Baker, revealed that he submitted an alternative fee structure to the government in August but has yet to receive a response.
AOPA stated: “As of July 1, 2024, the Bahamas Customs & Excise Department has imposed substantial fees on pilots flying general aviation aircraft for recreational flights. Pilots should be aware of these new fees before considering flying to The Bahamas.”
The association noted that in many cases, these fees exceed those levied on larger commercial airlines, adding that despite AOPA’s efforts to engage with the Bahamian government, including multiple outreach attempts by Baker to Prime Minister Davis, there has been little to no communication regarding the matter.
“For many years, AOPA has collaborated with the Bahamian government and Ministry of Tourism to promote the country as a prime destination for general aviation travel. However, the recent fee increases will likely deter pilots from visiting The Bahamas, adversely affecting Bahamian citizens and businesses, particularly in the outer islands that are most easily accessible by general aviation aircraft,” Baker added.
AOPA stated that while it remains open to working with Bahamian officials to address the issue of excessive fees, they felt compelled to issue a travel advisory to inform its members of the significant costs associated with visiting The Bahamas. This advisory has been disseminated through AOPA’s extensive media network, including the AOPA Bahamas Pilot Guide, AOPA Airport Directory, AOPA Pilot magazine, AOPA ePilot newsletter, and AOPA website. This travel advisory is in addition to one issued by the U.S. State Department in January.
In response, Minister Halkitis, speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly press briefing, noted that he had not seen the advisory, suggesting that the views were being expressed by a “very narrow group.”
“I doubt it’s an aircraft owners association. I think it may be a very small, focused group of individuals who have a particular issue,” he said.
He added: “The government of The Bahamas is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in airport infrastructure across our family islands to enhance safety and promote local economies. We must uphold certain security standards to meet FAA tests.”
Halkitis noted that the government had amended fees that had been unchanged for 30 to 50 years. He further emphasized that taxpayer dollars, amounting to hundreds of millions, are being used to upgrade the country’s airports.
“We don’t think it unreasonable for them to pay a reasonable fee for them to use it. We believe those adjustments for people who own their own aircraft are reasonable,” said Halkitis.
