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AOPA is protesting "new and steep" entry and departure fees for general and business aviation aircraft in the Bahamas. According to AOPA, "the fees are exceedingly high and more than the new fees being imposed on commercial airline operations." As of July 1, the inbound customs fee for general and business aircraft was reportedly raised from $50 to $75, while a new $75 departure fee was added on top of the existing $29-per-passenger departure charge and other fees. Airline aircraft are charged a $50 entry fee and a $50 exit fee.
In a letter sent to Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Edward “Brave” Davis, AOPA president Mark Baker urged the prime minister to intervene and rescind the "egregious" fees on visitors arriving and departing the country in private airplanes. "While we understand some fees are necessary, we also believe private pilots shouldn’t have fees imposed on them that are twice as much as those imposed on commercial aircraft," Baker said.
He also noted a "complicated" entry and departure customs process. "There is no question that the Bahamas will lose its competitive advantage as a key destination for private pilots flying to the Caribbean," Baker added.
