By DELVIN MAJOR

In the beautiful archipelago of The Bahamas, where air travel is a vital bridge connecting our islands, the safety of the flying public must always be paramount. Yet, despite our unwavering efforts as the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAA-B), one persistent and dangerous practice continues to jeopardise lives - unauthorised air operations.

This long-standing and vexing issue is not merely a regulatory infraction. It is a direct threat to public safety, professionalism in aviation, and the integrity of our national aviation system.

Understanding unauthorised operators

Unauthorised air operators are individuals or entities conducting flights for compensation or hire without proper certification from the CAA-B. Often, these operators present themselves as legitimate commercial carriers. They are sometimes familiar faces within communities, offering lower fares, faster access or the convenience of bypassing traditional airport screening. These offers, while tempting, are fraught with risk.

Such operators

* Frequently lack a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the CAA-B.

* May not hold commercial pilot licences, or their licences may have lapsed.

* Operate aircraft with questionable maintenance histories.

* Often lack valid aviation insurance, putting passengers at financial and personal risk.

* May be untrained in weather avoidance and flight risk management—a critical factor in The Bahamas’ unpredictable weather conditions.

* Disregard mandatory oversight, surveillance and safety audits that all legitimate commercial operators undergo.

Consequences: A history marked by tragedy

The Civil Aviation Authority has investigated numerous aviation accidents over the years linked to unauthorised operators. Many of these incidents have resulted in catastrophic outcomes, including injuries, fatalities and the complete loss of aircraft. In nearly every case, the root causes trace back to pilots operating outside the bounds of regulatory control, lacking training, maintenance support and operational oversight.

Let us be clear. These are not isolated incidents. They are systemic symptoms of individuals exploiting the informal travel habits of the public, often preying on familiarity, convenience and cost.

Why the public must be vigilant

Passengers must understand that the responsibility to ensure one’s own safety does not begin once the aircraft is airborne; it begins with your choice of operator.

Choosing an unauthorised operator means:

* You cannot be assured of the pilot’s competency or recent training.

* You have no visibility into whether the aircraft has passed its scheduled maintenance.

* You risk boarding a flight where the weather, weight, balance and operational limits may not be properly assessed or adhered to.

* You may not be covered by insurance in the event of an incident/accident.

As such, the risk is real and the consequences can be devastating.

What the Civil Aviation Authority is doing

The CAA-B has taken robust measures to combat this threat, including:

1. Public awareness campaigns

Posters and informational signage are now displayed in strategic locations at airports throughout The Bahamas, particularly at general aviation terminals where most of these activities are known to occur.

2. Certification decals

All approved commercial operators are now required to display an official CAA-B-issued decal at the entrance of the aircraft’s boarding door and/or the terminal entrance. This decal serves as a visible verification mark of certification. If the aircraft you are boarding lacks this seal, you should not proceed to board it.

3. Surveillance operations

CAA-B’s inspectors and surveillance teams are regularly deployed across all major and outlying airports across The Bahamas to monitor flight activity, question suspicious operations and take enforcement actions against violators where appropriate.

4. Stakeholder engagement

We are actively working with police, airport authorities, Customs, Immigration and ground handling services to identify and stop these operations before they lead to tragedy.

5. Enforcement measures

Operators found engaging in unauthorised commercial air transport may face prosecution, revocation of pilot certificates, grounding of aircraft and civil penalties under the Civil Aviation Act and its regulations.

How you can help

Passengers

* Ask questions: Is this a commercial operator? Are they licensed by the CAA-B?

* Look for the decal: No CAA-B decal? Do not board.

* Report concerns: If something feels questionable, contact CAA-B immediately at 397-4700 ask for enforcement department or e-mail us at enforcement@caabahamas.com or notify airport authorities.

Industry professionals

* If you are aware of unauthorised activity, you have a duty to report it. Turning a blind eye makes you complicit in potential disaster.

* Adhere strictly to the terms of your Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Non-compliance may lead to loss of certification and reputational damage.

Aviation stakeholders

* We urge Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), handlers and fuelling agents to be wary when providing services to operators who are continuously and frequently travelling back and forth between Nassau and the Family Islands with different people, and who you suspect may not have a valid AOC or display the approved decal.

Also, if you suspect or believe individuals are operating illegally, please call the CAA-B at 397-4700 or e-mail us at enforcement@caabahamas.com. We also have a confidential reporting system at statesafety@caabahamas.com where you can anonymously report your concerns.

* Be part of the solution and join our campaign to keep Bahamian skies safe.

Conclusion: A collective responsibility

The Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas stands firm in its mission to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety. But safety is not the responsibility of the Authority alone. It is a shared obligation among regulators, industry participants, airport authorities and the public.

Unauthorised operators may seem harmless... until tragedy strikes. Let us not wait for another avoidable loss to recognise the gravity of this practice. Every flight should be a safe flight, and every operator should be a certified operator. If in doubt, do not fly - and always trust those who are entrusted with your life by the only authority that can legally do so.

For more information, visit www.caabahamas.com or contact enforcement@caabahamas.com or statesafety@caabahamas.com

• NB: Delvin Major is senior deputy director general of Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas