Senate passes Civil Aviation Amendment Act to align Jamaica with global aviation standards

The Senate convened on 26 June 2026 under prayer and formal opening remarks, with youth representatives from G2K and Young Jamaica present and Senator Scott Mley joining online after technical adjustments were resolved.

President of the Senate noted the passing of former senator and former president Azi Hardin the previous day and said tributes would be arranged when members, including the leader of government business, were available. Senator Floyd Morris raised concerns about sign-language interpretation, noting repeated delays and calling for at least two interpreters with no single signer working beyond one hour, in line with national and international standards.

Clerk of the Senate laid multiple papers on the table, including annual reports from the Sugar Industry Authority, the consolidated fund, the Tourism Product Development Company, and the Board of Supervision; Integrity Commission investigation reports involving ICT Authority officers Walt Brown and Mark Murray, former Cannabis Licensing Authority CEO Dana Ashpole, and Member of Parliament Dr. Andrew Wheatley; extensions of Zones of Special Operations in August Town, Norwood, Greenwich Town, Mount Salem, Denham Town, Savanna-la-Mar, and Parade Garden; minimum wage orders; and reports from the Auditor General, Bank of Jamaica, and parliamentary committees.

The Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2026, passed by the House of Representatives on 10 June with six amendments, was introduced in the Senate and taken through all stages in one sitting. Transport Minister told senators the bill updates Jamaica’s 1966 Civil Aviation Act to meet obligations under the Chicago Convention and International Civil Aviation Organization standards, including definitions for unmanned aircraft and drones, a statutory accident investigation framework, stronger licensing and enforcement powers, and higher penalties for offences such as dangerous flying.

She warned that failure to maintain credible aviation oversight could affect airline confidence, tourism earnings, and Jamaica’s access to markets, noting that in 2024 the country welcomed about 4.5 million visitors, including 2.9 million stopover visitors, and generated roughly US$4.3 billion in tourism earnings. Opposition Senator Damion Crawford, speaking through Senator Bernard, said the opposition supported modernisation but questioned ministerial control over accident investigators and boards of inquiry, confidentiality provisions, enforcement powers, penalty levels, implementation costs, and stakeholder consultation.

Senator Gail and Senator Sinclair backed the measure, with Sinclair highlighting safety upgrades at Sangster International Airport in St. James. Senator Lambert Brown offered condolences to Venezuela after a recent earthquake and raised workplace safety and drone-use concerns before debate turned heated and his microphone was switched off.

The minister said further amendments, including a parliamentary review mechanism suggested in the House, would be incorporated when the bill returns. Clauses one through 50 and the schedules were approved in committee without amendment, the bill was read a third time and passed, and the Senate adjourned at 12:37 p.m. to a date to be fixed.