Following is a statement from Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins, on the reduction of the Airport Service Charge in regional destinations.
“The 2018 amendment to the Act regarding the increase of service charge fees created two categories of fees: ‘CARICOM States’ and ‘regional destinations’.
The Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) Inc. subsequently received complaints from several regional airlines that the tax was having a negative impact on intra-regional travel.
The request was made that the BDS $70 fee charged to passengers travelling to CARICOM states be extended to passengers travelling to other regional states.
The Cabinet approved this amendment.
Therefore, when the legislative process has been completed, all ex-CARICOM regional airlines’ passengers will pay the same service charge of BDS $70 as opposed to the BDS $140 that they are currently charged.
The additional countries that will benefit when the new legislation comes into being will be:
- a) the islands of the French Antilles;
- b) the islands of the Dutch Antilles;
- c) the islands of the British Antilles;
- d) the islands of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands;
- e) the Dominican Republic; and
- F) Cuba.
“It is considered that this will be of significant benefit to intra-regional travel.
The airport service charge on all international travel remains at the level of BDS $140 or US$70.”
(PR)
