Bahamasair (UP, Nassau International) has requested a two-year renewal of its exemption authorising it to operate scheduled cargo and passenger flights under the US-Bahamas Air Transport Agreement (ATA) between both countries. However, lobbyists Airlines for America (A4A) have filed an objection, urging the US Department of Transportation (DOT) not to approve it due to the “unjustifiable, unreasonably discriminatory, anticompetitive and unreasonable charges levied against A4A’s members” by the Caribbean island nation.
A4A said in a complaint in 2022 that the Bahamian government had levied “unjustified and excessively astronomical” charges for overflight navigation services. Despite discussions with the Bahamas Air Navigation Service Authority (BANSA), the government still went ahead with the new fee structure
Moreover, BANSA has failed to resolve issues involving significant overpayments made for overflights that occurred between 2021 and 2024, while the proposed scheme from 2024 to 2029 “will allow a debt transfer affecting carriers unequally”.
For these reasons and others, “the Bahamas’ actions are inconsistent with its obligations under [...] the US-Bahamas ATA to ensure the fundamental fairness of the user charges imposed on carriers,” A4A said in its filing to the DOT. It also objects to the Department granting Bahamasair’s application at this time because approval is not consistent with the public interest.
Bahamasair was not immediately available for comment.
State-owned Bahamasair currently operates 57 weekly flights to the United States, flying from Nassau International, Moss Town, and Marsh Harbour. From the Bahamian capital, it serves Fort Lauderdale International, Miami International, and Orlando International, while from Freeport it serves Fort Lauderdale and from Marsh Harbour it flies to West Palm Beach International. Additionally, it is authorised to offer in charters.
