Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

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Chad Trautvetter

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.
AOPA said it hopes to continue to work with the Bahamas to ensure that general aviation activity in the Bahamas “continues to be robust without imposing unreasonable fees on pilots.”

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