Bahamas Ditches Private Pilot's Bill of Rights Charges New Overtime Fees for Customs & Immigration

March 7, 2014
New bottom line for flying to the Bahamas: $250 in fees - fly to the Bahamas in your little four seater with three friends; pay $50 to land; $100 in departure taxes; and $100 in overtime fees if you arrive or depart before 9 am or after 5 pm.

The long-standing Bahamas BILL OF RIGHTS FOR PRIVATE PILOTS is no longer valid.

Private Pilots visiting The Island Of The Bahamas should expect one of the following:

  • No Overtime Customs Fee - for private aircraft visiting The Island Of The Bahamas where the pilot declares that he/she does not receive any remuneration and the flight is for recreational purpose

This exemption was declared null and void by a new regulation issued July 1, 2013.  Arrive or depart before 9 am or after 5 pm and you will be charged $100 ($50 each for immigration and customs) at most ports of entry.  However, the July 1, 2013 regulation clearly states that these fees apply only to immigration officers "outside a place of normal attendance."  I spoke today with the Bahamas acting Director of Immigration who refused to acknowledge the language in the regulation and insisted that all flights would be charged no matter whether they use an FBO facility or a fully staffed airport terminal.  His response was "just arrive after 9 or depart before  5 pm.

Having organized 30 Fly Ins to the Islands during the past 10 years, I can confirm categorically, that almost 90% of the private planes returning to the States depart prior to 9 am in order to get ahead of the weather and/or arrive at their destinations in Pennsylvania or Ohio or wherever at a reasonable hour.  So be prepared to pay an extra $100 on departure.

Facilities at Nassau, Freeport and Exuma International are charging the new fees.  Stella Maris is not for the moment.  It's only a matter of time before all airports charge the fees.

New Bottom line for flying to the Bahamas:  $250 in fees - fly to the Bahamas in your little four seater with three friends;  pay $50 to land; $100 in departure taxes; and $100 in overtime fees if you arrive or depart before 9 am or after 5 pm.

What are they thinking?  The number of private aircraft arrrivals has been declining steadily over the past five years.  Yet another fee of $100 will surely contribute to a further decline in private aircraft arrivals and the loss of millions more in tourism revenue.  The government has completely ignored the blowback from private pilots over the recent $50 arrival fee for private aircraft and the increase in the departure taxes from $15 to $20 to $25 and the increase in Avgas taxes and the increase in hotel taxes...  They did fold under pressure from the Commercial airlines who threatened to curtail service.  Guess we private pilots don't matter.

If you have a minute, email the Director of Tourism and let him know that you will probably stop flying to the Bahamas and fly instead to the Florida Keys or the Dominican Republic or Belize or Puerto Rico where the fees are nil or less than $50:

Ministry of Tourism The Hon. Obediah H. Wilchcombe:  [email protected]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but what's wrong with these guys?