Senate passes amended Civil Aviation Act

The Senate on Friday passed the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act to address the gaps that have emerged in Jamaica's system. 

Piloting the bill, Minister of Education & Information Dr Dana Morris Dixon said the amendments will ensure greater oversight of the aviation industry.

Dr Dixon added that the new legislation will avoid any adverse findings by the International Civil Aviation Organization for failing to apply updated standards in the civil aviation legislative framework.

She said the strengthening of Jamaica's legislative framework for aviation safety oversight, will “enhance the legal framework governing aircraft accident and incident investigations, facilitate the implementation of elements of the Chicago Convention concerning the transfer of certain functions and duties relating to interchanged, leased, and chartered aircraft.

It will also support the implementation of contemporary aviation safety management principles, “provide the necessary legislative authority for consequential amendments to the Civil Aviation Regulations of 2012 and the Civil Aviation Air Transport Licensing Regulations 1966,” she added.

Senator Morris Dixon said a lack of compliance will have serious economic consequences for the country.

In that regard, she explained that the monetary penalties have been increased in the amended act.

In 2024, Jamaica welcomed four and a half million visitors, she disclosed, including 2.9 million stopover visitors, “and generated approximately US$4.3 billion in tourism earnings.”

“The stopover segment depends substantially on safe, reliable, and expanding air access. Any material erosion of confidence in Jamaica's aviation oversight system could therefore influence airline decisions on routes, frequency and future expansion, increased insurance, leasing and financing costs, and could weaken passenger and investor confidence, Dr Morris Dixon told the Senate. 

“Even a modest reduction in airlift would be magnified many folds across our hotels, our attractions, ground transportation, entertainment, agriculture, small businesses, everywhere,” she added.