Unpopular Development Fee Scrapped

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(PLTM) - The Airport Development Fee (ADF) that sparked outrage in March when it was first announced, has been altered by Government to free the residents of the sister islands of the $5 fee that they had to pay.

Many commented on Facebook on March 1 when the Airport Authority announced the new fee, stating that this addition was making travel from domestic ports unattractive.

At the time, it was explained that the ADF was approved by Cabinet and came into effect on Wednesday, February 6, with enforcement commencing on the first day of March.

One of the concerning aspects of the new fee was the announcement that there was a domestic/inter-island travel fee of $5 that was applicable to Anegada and Virgin Gorda travellers.

In an update on the situation, Premiere Fahie announced in the House of Assembly on Tuesday that the newly appointed Board of the BVI Airports Authority decided that the $5 fee will be scrapped.

"The BVIAA Board has looked at the $5 Inter-Island Airport Development Fee that is charged to persons traveling from Anegada and Virgin Gorda to Tortola," Premier Fahie announced.

Noting that fee was unfavorable, the Hon. Fahie told the House, "It is the view of the Board that this fee places an unfair and unnecessary burden on our sister-islanders who have no choice but to travel to Tortola in order to conduct business, shopping, and so forth."

"The Board proposes to disband this fee to Anegadians and Virgin Gordians. Some may say it is not much, but it is our way of saying to our sister-islanders that we recognise the challenges they face and we appreciate them," the Premier added.

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