News

Barbados Seeking to Be Rebanded Within British Air Passenger Duty

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - November 23, 2012

Above: a British Airways Flight

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The fight for a “fairer” British Air Passenger Duty, a levy on flights originating in the United Kingdom based on their destination, will continue until a resolution is found, according to Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy.

The Minister, who was speaking at a press briefing this week, said that with the UK government is not going to abolish the APD, Barbados’ fight will be focused on being “rebanded” within the current system.

The APD’s banding system applies different taxes to flights depending on the distance traveled. Many in the Caribbean have alleged that the banding unfairly discriminates against the Caribbean tourism sector.

“We are simply saying, because of how the APD is calculated, you pay a smaller [tax] when you are going to Honolulu, Hawaii, or the west coast of the US than when you are coming to Barbados, which is closer,” he said. “We believe there is a special case for the Caribbean, the most tourism-dependent region in the world, to be rebanded.”

He said that this cause had received “widespread support” from the British government and across party lines, calling it “crucial to ramp up the lobby effort and, in essence, try to pressure the UK government into recognizing the absurd situation.”

“In fairness to them, they have not shut the door on us,” he said. “We have had minor successes in the past, but we now need to see what we can do to have something more permanent in that respect.”

Earlier this month, Northern Ireland announced it would be removing the APD on long-haul flights, the destinations of which include Barbados.

Popular Posts caribbean island united dominica

United Airlines Has a New Nonstop Flight to an Adventure-Filled Caribbean Island With a Different Kind of Vibe

There’s a different kind of energy on this Caribbean island. Maybe it’s the waterfalls, or the geothermal energy pulsing beneath your feet. Perhaps it’s the serenity of the rainforest; or the allure of a far-off waterfall, the daunt of an […]


Hyatt Is Closing This Riviera Maya Resort, With Plans for a Rebranding

riviera maya resort closing

Hyatt is closing one of its top luxury resorts in the Mexican Caribbean in a few months, with plans for a rebranding, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, one of a trio of properties in the […]


Frontier Airlines Is Adding Another New Nonstop Flight to the Dominican Republic’s Most Popular Destination: Punta Cana

punta cana golf dominican republic

The beaches, the all-inclusives, the nightclubs, the beach bars. Punta Cana is the spot when it comes to Dominican Republic travel, and now it’s getting another nonstop route from one of the fastest-growing airlines in the Caribbean.  Low-cost carrier Frontier […]


Related Posts antigua barbuda why choose

This Adults-Only All-Inclusive Has Toes-in-the-Sand Rooms, "Laid-Back Luxury" and One of the Caribbean’s Most Spectacular Beaches 

The endless lattes. The afternoons at the Tickled Turtle. The barbecue at the Outhouse. The six pickleball courts. There’s a reason the Pineapple Beach Club is one of Antigua’s most beloved places to stay. But the biggest story is Long […]


Most Sunscreen Is Harmful to Coral Reefs. This One Actually Helps Coral Grow. 

coral care

It’s one of the biggest problems for coral reefs: swimmers covered in harmful, environmentally-unfriendly sunscreen that contribute to coral bleaching.  But a new sunscreen that’s on the market does the opposite: it has nutrients that actually helps coral reefs grow.  […]


Caribbean Photo of the Week: Chalk Sound, Turks and Caicos

turks and caicos chalk

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Chevorn Bishop, who sent in this spectacular shot of Chalk Sound National Park on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it to news@caribjournal.com […]