DPM Defends Airspace Fees

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The deputy prime minister is on the defense after eight United States airlines filed a complaint about over-flight fees.

The DPM is calling it a misunderstanding, adding that he doesn’t see any fallout in the near future.

Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Aviation defending The Bahamas’ right to manage and charge for the use of the Bahamian airspace.

His comments come after eight U.S. airlines filed joint complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation, citing unjust, discriminatory, anticompetitive, and unreasonable airspace charges by The Bahamas.

Cooper telling reporters the decision wasn’t made unilaterally.

The airlines that filed the complaint were American Airlines group, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Delta Airlines, FedEx, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and United Parcel Service.

The fees are $1 per arriving and departing passenger for all airspace users that land and take off from Bahamian airports and fly within Bahamian airspace; plus, a flat fee of $10 up to $61 for each flight, depending on the maximum take-off weight.

Cooper adding the matter will be handled with dialogues with the airlines.

In May 2021 the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority and the US Federal Aviation Administration entered an agreement to allow The Bahamas to collect fees for the use of its own airspace.

Cooper saying the approach will be multifaceted.