Aug. 3, 2026
The Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority (BANSA) recently began retroactive collection of fees to aircraft operators who flew to, from, within or over the Bahamas in a piston twin, turboprop or jet aircraft since May 1, 2021. BANSA exempts single-engine piston powered aircraft on private flights from these fees.
“Private and commercial flights in multi-engine piston, turboprop and jet aircraft are subject to these fees. There are no distinctions between [general aviation] and commercial flights,” said Rick Gardner, owner of CST Flight Services.
These fees also apply to operators who have already paid for BANSA services. BANSA has indicated that operators receiving invoices will be responsible for the balance of the previously paid fees and the new fees.
The fees, which are based on an aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight, represent increases ranging from nearly 300% to almost 700%. These fees are in addition to customs fees, airport authority changes and FBO landing and service fees.
However, Gardner explained the following operations are exempt:
- Aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations or in the provision of emergency medical services.
- Aircraft performing an emergency landing at an airport other than the airport of its intended destination.
- Aircraft operating by private users and powered by a single piston engine.
- Aircraft owned or chartered by the Bahamian government.
- Aircraft belonging to the armed forces or governments of ICAO’s member states.
CST Flight Services requested additional information from BANSA on several topics, including whether unpaid penalties or debt incurred by one aircraft operator will be the responsibility of a future aircraft owner.
BANSA’s response to CST Flight Services said, “Any aircraft with a debt can be seized/detained by the government in the case the operator refuses to pay its outstanding debt. This also applies to new owners.”
“NBAA is launching an advocacy effort with other impacted stakeholders and the U.S. government to highlight the negative economic impact such onerous fees will have on FBOs, airports, the travel industry and surrounding businesses,” said Laura Everington, NBAA’s director of international operations and regulations. “We encourage operators who receive retroactive invoices to share their experiences with NBAA to bolster these advocacy efforts with realistic data.”
NBAA has questioned the legitimacy of these fees since the U.S. FAA provides most air traffic services for the Bahamas and charges a de minimis annual fee for those services.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.