By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

THE GOVERNMENT will resume discussions with the United States about gaining control over Bahamian airspace, Minister of Transportation and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin said.

During her contribution to the Budget Debate this week, Mrs Hanna-Martin said among the short-term plans for the ministry are assuming responsibility for the country’s national airspace, and working to enhance revenue generation.

According Mrs Hanna-Martin, under the 2002-2007 Christie administration, the government began formal discussions with regional neigbours including Haiti, Cuba, the Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and the United States regarding defining and taking control of the Bahamas’ airspace.

The project progressed to the point that the government even sought proposals for the training and equipment necessary for such a transition, she said.

In his 2012-2013 budget communication, Prime Minister Perry Christie said currently, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exercises air traffic control over Bahamian airspace from the Miami Air Route Traffic Centre.

“Despite the air navigation charges imposed by the FAA, the Bahamas receives no funds from the thousands of aircraft which transit our airspace,” he said.

Having already made initial contact, Mrs Hanna-Martin said the government will be resuming discussions with the United States and other regional neighbours.

She said: “The issues under discussion will include the redefinition of the Bahamas airspace and the decision whether the Bahamas will, in the short term, assume full management of its airspace or seek an interim position where the FAA will continue to manage under an agreed arrangement with the Bahamas, which will be to our benefit.

“Our efforts in this regard will be focused and purposeful and it is our expectation that a position will be arrived at in the shortest possible time,” said Mrs Hanna-Martin. “It is anticipated that the benefits to the Bahamas that will accrue from these efforts will be significant.”