Skelton slams unjust domestic flight fee
At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has called for the immediate removal of officials who introduced a controversial fee on domestic flights from Tortola to Anegada and Virgin Gorda, calling the charge harmful to residents. The fee, reportedly imposed by the BVI Airports Authority, has increased to as much as $24 and is being criticised as inappropriate for internal travel.
At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has publicly demanded urgent action after residents flying from Tortola to Anegada and Virgin Gorda began facing what he called an "unjust" fee for domestic travel. Speaking in the House of Assembly, Skelton said the people responsible for instituting the charge should be removed, arguing the policy harms residents rather than helps them. "We need to get some of these people out of our country, because they're doing us harm!
It is understood the charge is being applied by the BVI Airports Authority. Skelton said the additional fee on top of airline tickets has risen to as much as $24, an increase from a previously reported $12. He told legislators that when he queried the authorities he was told the fee was meant to be $5 and was intended as an airport development-related charge rather than a departure tax.
Skelton countered that however the levy is described, it should not be applied to domestic travel. He said departure taxes are traditionally levied when travellers leave the territory, not when they move between islands within the BVI. He also criticised the imposition of international-style screening for domestic passengers, including metal detectors and departure lounges.
Deputy Premier and Third District Representative Julian Fraser repeatedly interjected during the debate to say the government did not introduce the charge. Skelton responded that his priority was not assigning blame but fixing the problem: "Forget about who did it — fix it," he said.
Drawing a regional comparison, Skelton pointed to the United States Virgin Islands where passengers travelling between St. Croix use dedicated domestic boarding areas without international departure lounges or similar fees. He urged the BVI to establish a separate domestic departure section at the airport for travel to the sister islands to avoid imposing international standards and costs on local travellers.
Skelton warned that the additional cost and inconvenience place an unnecessary burden on residents who rely on short inter-island flights for work, school, healthcare and commerce. He called on the government and airport authorities to act swiftly to make internal travel easier and more affordable for Virgin Islanders.
As of publication there was no formal statement included from the BVI Airports Authority in the House debate; Skelton's remarks reflect concerns raised in the House of Assembly and calls for a rapid remedy to the policy affecting domestic passengers.
Primary source: BVI News