Premier Andrew Fahie has alleged that the territory’s airports, including the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island (pictured) are a “rabbit hole” of mismanagement. File photo: TODD VANSICKLE

Passengers flying out of Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport will have an easier time leaving the Virgin Islands starting in September, as government’s departure tax will be incorporated in ticket prices instead of having to be paid at a separate window, according to BVI Airports Authority Managing Director Denniston Fraser.

Starting in September, passengers leaving out of the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on commercial flights won’t have to pay departure tax at a separate window. Instead, that tax will be incorporated into ticket prices. Photo: TODD VANSICKLE
The change is part of the agency’s effort to become more efficient, Mr. Fraser said, adding that the eight BVIAA Departure Tax Unit employees will be transferred to other positions in the authority.

Most of them will go to a Statistics Unit that is being formed, where they will gather information such as the point of origin for passengers flying into the territory.

Mr. Fraser said that such data is important to the tourism industry, as it will help to plan marketing and other strategies.

Other Departure Tax Unit staff will be transferred to security posts and other open positions, he added.

Mr. Fraser also explained that the Departure Tax Unit will not be disbanded entirely, because passengers on private charter flights will still have to pay at the window.

See the June 9, 2016 edition for full coverage.

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