Economic Licences & Permits
Air Operators who are operating or intend to operate commercial air services must apply for and obtain a licence or permit from the JCAA’s Economic Regulation Department. Commercial air services refer to the transportation of passengers or goods as a trade or business for reward. Licences are granted for the operation of scheduled services and permits for non-scheduled air services.
Applications must be submitted using the prescribed forms and shall be accompanied by the relevant application fee as shown in Table 9 of the Twenty-Second Schedule of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Regulations. All applications must be submitted via the PALMS Client Portal.
Air Operators should refer to Sections 7, 8, and 9 of the Civil Aviation Act and the Civil Aviation (Air Transport Licensing) Regulation, 1966 for precise details of the procedures governing the approval, supervision and revocation of licences and permits.
The Authority should be immediately advised regarding temporary or permanent discontinuation of services on any route.
For scheduled and non-scheduled operations, visit the PALMS Client Portal.
Form 3 – Representations or Objections
Form 7 – Monthly Returns
Flight Authorization – Request Form
Following the approval of the JCAA’s Board of Directors for operations over 30 days, and the Director General for operations under 30 days, an official Licence/Permit document is issued under the signature of the Director General and the Board Secretary. Permission may be granted to operate, under the signature of the authorized officer/s, until the production of the official licence/permit document. In all instances, this will be via an email attachment.
Licences are issued expressly for the operation of scheduled services. Applications should be submitted via the PALMS Client Portal.
Permits are granted for authorizing non-scheduled flights. Applications should be submitted via the PALMS Client Portal.
- Certificate of Airworthiness
- Certificate of Insurance
- Certificate of Registration
- Air Operator’s Certificate
- Aircraft and Route Authorization Sections of the Operators Specifications
- Overview of the proposed operations.
- Air Operator Security Programme, in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulation, 2012 Twentieth Schedule, Sections 20.016 – 20.018. The relevant sections regarding the content of Air Operator Security Program can be found in section 20.017. This document should be submitted by email to falavsec@jcaa.gov.jm.
For more information and additional requirements, click here.
- Proof of designation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Ownership Structure of Organisation
- Business Plan
- Applications for the grant of an Air Service Licence or Permit to Operate services over thirty (30) days should be submitted at least eight (8) weeks in advance of the series of flights.
- Applications for the grant of an Air Service Licence or Permit to Operate services less than thirty (30) days should be submitted at least seven (7) days in advance of the flight or series of flights.
- For scheduled changes, involving the provision of services on new routes for operations over thirty (30) days, the Authority should be advised at least eight (8) weeks in advance of the series of flights.
- For operations of extra section flights, the Authority should be advised at least seven (7) days in advance of the flight or series of flights.
- The Authority shall be advised at least three (3) days in advance of changes to the schedule relating to the day(s) of operation and/or arrival and departure time.
The following categories of flights are exempt from Licences and Permits:
- Civil Aircraft registered in a state (other than Jamaica) that is a party to the Air Transit Agreement and which flies across or lands in Jamaica per the provision of that agreement to facilitate a fuel stop or emergency landing.
- Flights for the purpose of training or testing of persons
- Flights providing ambulance or rescue facilities
- Flights for the purpose of testing or demonstrating an aircraft
- Positioning flights
Fees charged for licences and permits are calculated on the maximum total weight of the aircraft and may be paid in United States Dollars ($US) or Jamaican Dollars ($J).
Refer to our fee structure for licensing and permitting services at Tables 8, 9, and 10 of Twenty-Second Schedule of The Civil Aviation Regulation, 2012.
Following the JCAA's Board of Directors or Director General’s approval, official licenses or permits are issued. For immediate operations, permissions can be granted via email attachment.
We Engage in Transparent Processes
Public Notices: Applications for commercial air services, exceeding thirty (30) days, are published in a Daily Newspaper. Interested parties may register objections or representations, and a hearing may be arranged to consider the evidence supporting the application and the objection.
Procedures for conducting a hearing.
The procedures for conducting a hearing are detailed in Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the First Schedule to the Civil Aviation (Air Transport Licensing) Regulations 1966.
Wish to make a representation or objection to any application for a licence?
Submit your Representations or Objections here
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