By DELVIN MAJOR

In civil aviation, safety is not merely a requirement - it is a culture. It is the cornerstone upon which all other aspects of air transportation must be built. In The Bahamas, where air travel is the lifeline connecting our islands, cultivating and maintaining a robust culture of safety is not optional. It is a national imperative.

As the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAA-B) continues to fulfill its mandate to regulate and oversee the aviation sector, we are intensifying our efforts to embed safety into every aspect of our operations - from licensing and certification to inspection, enforcement and education.

What is a Culture of Safety?

A culture of safety is an organisational mindset, and operational discipline, that prioritises safety at every level. This has to exist within government oversight bodies, airlines, airports, maintenance companies, and among individual airmen and aviation personnel. It is the conscious and collective commitment to “do the right thing”, even when no one is watching.

It is characterised by:

* Transparency and accountability

* Continuous improvement

* Proactive risk management

* Open reporting and non-punitive safety reporting environments

* Leadership commitment and staff involvement

Elevating safety in The Bahamas: CAA-B’s strategic focus

As part of our national strategy to enhance aviation safety, the CAA-B safety oversight division - working in close co-ordination with the State Safety Programme (SSP) - has adopted, and is actively implementing, a series of transformational initiatives.

The SSP serves as the national framework for managing safety in civil aviation, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Annex 19 requirements. It integrates policy, risk management, safety assurance and promotion across all sectors of aviation in The Bahamas, ensuring that safety performance is continuously monitored, analysed and improved at the state level.

The programme brings together regulatory authorities, service providers and industry stakeholders to achieve common safety objectives, and align The Bahamas with the ICAO global aviation safety plan (GASP).

Key initiatives include:

1. Modernising regulatory frameworks

We are aligning our Civil Aviation Regulations with ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs), ensuring that operators, airmen and service providers in The Bahamas are meeting globally-accepted safety and operational requirements.

2. Safety management systems (SMS) integration

The CAA-B now mandates SMS implementation for all air operators, airports and certified service providers. A mature SMS fosters hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation before accidents occur.

3. National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP)

Our NASP outlines safety performance targets, priorities and key risk areas such as runway incursions, loss of control in-flight, and unauthorised air operations. This plan ensures that national safety initiatives are aligned with global strategies under the ICAO global aviation safety plan (GASP).

4. Surveillance and audit intensification

We have enhanced the frequency, scope and depth of oversight audits for AOC (air operator certificate) holders, aviation maintenance organisations (AMOs), aviation training organisations (ATOs) and aerodromes. Surveillance findings are followed by corrective action plan (CAP) implementation, tracking and closure to ensure real improvements are made.

5. Human factors and training development

CAA-B has developed and supported competency-based training and assessments (CBTA) for inspectors and industry personnel. We are also strengthening programmes in human performance, fatigue management and just culture - areas that directly impact operational safety.

6. Public awareness and industry engagement

Through blogs, seminars, CAA-B Talks, flyers and public campaigns, we are building public awareness on topics such as the dangers of using unauthorised air operators, flight planning, personal safety responsibilities and identifying certified operators, among others.

Empowering the industry: The role of every stakeholder

While CAA-B regulates and monitors the aviation industry in The Bahamas, safety is a shared responsibility. We call on:

* Air operators to ensure their operations are conducted in strict compliance with their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and the applicable regulations.

* Pilots to stay current in both flight proficiency and regulatory knowledge, reporting all safety hazards encountered.

* Aircraft maintenance providers to follow manufacturer guidelines and regulatory standards to the letter.

* Aerodrome operators to maintain infrastructure in accordance with safety specifications and report non-compliance.

* Training organisations to deliver ICAO-compliant, scenario-based, and outcome-focused training for all licence types.

* The public to make informed decisions when booking flights and avoid engaging with unauthorised operators.

From compliance to culture

It is important to understand that compliance is a starting point, but culture is the destination. Our ultimate goal is not merely to meet ICAO and national requirements, but to foster an aviation system in which safety is instinctive, not enforced.

We encourage all aviation professionals in The Bahamas to reflect on the following:

* Are we proactively identifying and mitigating risks?

* Are we encouraging open communication without fear of retribution?

* Are we investing in continuous education and training?

* Are we setting the right example for the next generation of aviation leaders?

Looking ahead

The Bahamas is undergoing significant transformation in its civil aviation sector. With the planned implementation of new drone regulations, urban air mobility (UAM) initiatives, remote air traffic services and regional oversight satellite offices, the stakes - and opportunities - have never been higher.

The CAA-B remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting this transformation through a transparent, consistent and accountable oversight framework rooted in a proactive culture of safety. We invite the entire aviation community to walk this path with us.

Together, we can elevate aviation standards in The Bahamas; not just by regulation, but by conviction.

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