Barbados' new airport tax policy
Editorial Viewpoint
By Rickey Singh
Guyana Chronicle
February 18, 2007
GUYANESE whose travel arrangements involve use of the facility of Barbados' spanking new Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) should know that they are not the only ones protesting against the new "departure tax" policy of US$30 that came into effect from the start of this month -- even for transit arrivals.
Now the highest in the entire Caribbean Community, the new tax, which includes a BDS$5 (US$2.50) "security fee, and styled "passenger service charge", represents more than a 100 per cent increase of what it used to be -- (US$12:50).
As of last week, the very sharp hike had drawn criticisms also from the Barbados-based management of Virgin Atlantic, a major international airline. Travel agents, in and out of the Caribbean region, continue to experience growing complaints from those purchasing tickets that involve use of the Grantley Adams airport while in-transit to another destination.
Letters published in the Guyana Chronicle within the past fortnight from Guyanese coming from abroad for Cricket World Cup have pointed to what they consider "undue punishment" in having to pay an extra US$60 for flights routed through Barbados and requiring two in transit stops at Grantley Adams -- to Guyana and back to destination of origin.
The departure tax, or "passenger service charge", is also now applicable to children from as young as two years, in contrast to the previous policy of no tax for children below eleven years.
Airlines generally continue to permit variations in fares for adults and children from 11 years and younger. So questions are being asked -- why not a variation also in the departure tax policy in tandem with that of the airlines for children?
It is, of course, the recognised right of every sovereign nation to impose taxes as they consider necessary, airport departure fees or else. The problem is that when, as in the particular instance of the new US$30 "service charge" at Grantley Adams, it is introduced without any known consultation of the views of airlines and travel agents, then the Barbados Government may wish to review the decision implemented by the management of GAIA, a corporate entity, out of its own concern for the public interest.
Departure taxes at international airports in CARICOM are as varied as those required for children, as well as in relation for in transit passengers. In the latter case, the tax for in transit visitors is generally waived for a 24-hour period.
Imagine the general increase for air travel by Caribbean nationals and others, should other regional airports follow the departure tax policy of Grantley Adams at this period of galloping air fares.
A practical solution may well be for CARICOM governments to work towards standardising the departure tax and the age limit at which it could reasonably be imposed for children.
Certainly NOT below two years as currently required at Grantley Adams. Additionally, they could have a common policy with respect to waiving the in transit tax within a 24-hour period.
Such a collective approach, challenging as it undoubtedly is, would be consistent with the laudable objective to which CARICOM governments are vigorously working to create a single economic space with the CSME.
Perhaps the Guyana Government should consider exercising some initiative with Barbados for a possible reconsideration of the departure tax policy for travellers who must use the facility of Grantley Adams International Airport which has cost the Barbadian taxpayers some US$71 million--at least for in transit passengers.
At the same time, it would be useful to learn of the positions of both local and regional travel agencies on this vexed public issue, as well as the views of more airlines, in addition to that expressed by Virgin Atlantic, in relation to the requirement of the US$30 departure tax for in transit passengers, including those as young as two years.