Aviation industry opposes radio license increase

The entire Vanuatu aviation industry is opposed to Telecommunications and Radiocommunications Regulator (TRR) increasing charges to Vt56,250 for an Annual Radio Station License.

They desire the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) whose Annual Radio Station License fee is Vt10,800 to take over aircraft radio station licensing.

Concern was rife within the Vanuatu aviation industry at the end of last year when TRR announced a massive increase in the charges for the annual radio station license compared to CAAV’s modest increase.

The disagreement with TRR’s increase in the charges for the annual radio station license of Vt56,250 culminated with a reported vote by members of the Vanuatu aviation industry on December 12, 2014 that showed no one of the Vanuatu aviation parties supported TRR’s charges. In comparison, 12 members of the Vanuatu aviation parties opposed the TRR charges increase and supported paying CAAV’s Vt10,800 charges for the annual radio station license.

Vanuatu civil aviation parties are: Air Ratua, Air Safaris, Air Taxi, Air Vanuatu, Airworx, Belair, Regional Aeromarine, Unity Airlines, Vanuatu Helicopters, Velit Bay, Wiley Aviation Services, and Wings of Hope.

“Let CAAV issue us the Aviation Communication License”, Unity Airlines’ Tony Deamer said. Air Ratua’s Paul Dalley said “CAAV is the sensible option for Aircraft Radio Station Licensing.”

“Airworx vote for CAAV,” says Airworx’s Brian Johnstone and Vanuatu Helicopters’ Andy Martin says “Vanuatu Helicopters is backing CAAV all the way.”

Simon Turner of Air Taxi, Bob Wiley of Wiley Aviation Services, Mat Erceg of Air Safaris and John Turner of Regional Aeromarine were all short and to the point in who they want “CAAV.”

“Air Vanuatu is for CAAV,” says Air Vanuatu’s Joseph Laloyer while BelAir’s Willie Karie’s votes “For CAAV Thanks.”

“Put me down for CAAV”, says Ronan Harvey of Velit Bay, and “Yes to CAAV” says Wings of Hope’s Dr. Mark Turnbill.

Clearly, the entire Vanuatu aviation industry opposes TRR increasing charges and desires CAAV to take over aircraft radio station licensing.