Economic Licences and 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 forwarded to The Director, Economic Regulation at erlicensing@jcaa.gov.jm.

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.

Issuing of Permits and Licences

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

Licences are issued expressly for the operation of scheduled services. Applications should be submitted on FORM 1.

Permits

Permits are granted for authorizing non-scheduled flights. Applications should be submitted on FORM 1A.

Documents required for ALL applicants:

  • 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.

First-time applicants must submit, in addition to the above, the following documents:

  • Proof of designation
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association
  • Ownership Structure of Organisation
  • Business Plan

Processing Times

  • Applications for the grant of an Air Service Licence or Permit to Operate services in excess of 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 in excess of 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
    • day(s) of operation and/or
    • arrival and departure time.

The Authority should be immediately advised regarding temporary or permanent discontinuation of services on any route.