The Bahamas has indefinitely postponed its new Click2Clear customs entry and departure programme for private pilots and passengers.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) president Mark Baker received notice at the end of May that Bahamas Customs acting comptroller Paul Munroe had called for a delay in implementing the programme 'pending further discussion by Customs, government officials and programmers to address reasonable concerns expressed by stakeholders'.

“My sincere appreciation to Mr Munroe, as well as those in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation," says Baker. "This decision reflects leadership and the great working partnership AOPA enjoys with the Bahamas. Our shared goal is to ensure pilots continue flying to these beautiful Islands.”

After learning from CST Flight Services director Rick Gardner, who also serves as a Bahamas Flying Ambassador, that the Click2Clear programme had a number of technical issues, Baker had sent a letter to Bahamas officials requesting a delay in the rollout of the programme. He cited the need for more time to address the issues and also to help pilots understand the online process.

“This pause will allow the necessary time to obtain feedback from impacted stakeholders to make any necessary improvements to the Click2Clear initiative, provide education and training on any new customs processes and implement the initiative during a lower air traffic period to avoid confusion and any major disruptions in the event of a system malfunction,” says Baker.

The Click2Clear programme is an online portal designed to facilitate the customs process for pilots and their passengers. While Click2Clear has been in existence since 2018 for air cargo operators, there has been no formal announcement or information published on the Bahamas' government website for private operators. Baker had heard from a number of AOPA members suggesting that the programme is untested and unintuitive for private pilots, and he has formally requested the launch of Click2Clear for private aviation be postponed until the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Baker adds that AOPA stands ready to help the Bahamas vet the Click2Clear programme for private pilots, with the goal of reducing complexity and confusion, and avoiding any risk of deterring and alienating private operators from visiting the Bahamas.

“While I appreciate the initiative by The Bahamas in supporting new and efficient methods to improve the customs process, I believe reasonable notice with adequate instruction is also warranted … as we work together to ensure an efficient and functional programme for private pilots,” Baker adds.

Baker also reminded the director general that AOPA is a significant supporter of travel to the Bahamas. The AOPA Pilot Guide: Bahamas Edition has been the go-to resource for private pilots flying to the Bahamas for many years, and includes information for 57 airports in the country. This guide features maps with airport data and the layout of each island, customs and immigration information, and much more. With a rushed rollout and no notice for implementation, information on Click2Clear would not be included in the newest edition of the AOPA Pilot Guide: Bahamas Edition, causing further confusion for pilots looking to fly to that country.

AOPA will continue to update members on discussions concerning Click2Clear and any new implementation date.