While the government announced no new taxes, the Minister of State for Tourism and Aviation Branville McCartney announced in the House of Assembly last night that beginning July 1 passengers using Lynden Pindling International Airport and Family Island airports will have to pay security fees.

Link To Original Article (http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=12875)

While the government announced no new taxes, the Minister of State for Tourism and Aviation Branville McCartney announced in the House of Assembly last night that beginning July 1 passengers using Lynden Pindling International Airport and Family Island airports will have to pay security fees.
Link To Original Article (http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=12875)


As if the cost of air travel throughout the bahamas isn't enough as is!

Well it's not like it is a shock, at least it should not be. Plans were voiced since the the airport was handed over to Vancouver Airport Services that this was going to happen to facilitate the airport redevelopment.

I didn't expect the FI' however. But residents complain about these things and it has to be paid for somehow. I only hope that the revenue is used for the airports accordingly, so that people see the dollars at work.

It had to happen sooner or later,most other countries charge for it.We will be more impacted by it in the Family Islands,as we fly more to make the necessary trips to Nassau and Grand Bahama.

If we want to keep the preclearance facilities open in GB and Nassau we must have proper security on par with everyone elses,it is just that simple.Hiring all the extra staff to do the security checks is an added burden on an already top heavy public employment sector.:hammer:

While the government announced no new taxes, the Minister of State for Tourism and Aviation Branville McCartney announced in the House of Assembly last night that beginning July 1 passengers using Lynden Pindling International Airport and Family Island airports will have to pay security fees.
Link To Original Article (http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=12875)


I JUST HOPE THE MONEY COLLECTED IN THE FAMILY ISLAND STAY THERE TO HELP MAINTAIN THE LOCAL AIRPORT AND NOT SEND TO NASSAU.I DON'T MINE PAYING IF THE AIRPORT IS UP TO STANDED.I WONDER IF THE MINISTER OF STATE/TOURISM AS EVER VISITED ANY OF THE FAMILY ISLAND AIRPORT.THEY ARE IN A BAD STATE AND TO PAY TO USE THEM , WAKE-UP FIXED THE PLACE FIRST AND THEN YOU CAN CHARGE THE PEOPLE TO USE IT.SOME OF THESE FAMILY ISLAND AIRPORT IS IN SUCH BAD STATE THAT IT WOULD BE A NATIONAL DISGRACE FOR A MAJOR AIRPLANE TO CASH LAND ON ANY OF THEM. SO I HOPE HE AS ALSO CONSIDER THIS FIRST AND FORMOST. COME ON.

I just looked up my last two trips to Nassau and GBI.

NASSAU:
US Security Service Fee $2.50
US Immigration User Fee $7.00
US APHIS User Fee $5.00
Bahamas Departure Tax $15.00
US Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
US Federal Transport Tax $30.20

Airfare $110
Taxes $64.20


GRAND BAHAMA:
US Security Service Fee $2.50
US Immigration User Fee $7.00
US APHIS User Fee $5.00
Bahamas Departure Tax $15.00
US Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
US Federal Transport Tax $30.20
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee: $23.00
Bahamas Security Tax: $11.00

Airfare: $196.00
Taxes: $98.20

Note that $34 is added to the tax structure for Grand Bahama, not for Nassau. FPO is private, LPIA is not.

So two questions:
1. Is FPO considered a family island ($5.00 fee or $7.50 fee)?
2. Is this new security fee ontop of the existing fee for FPO pushing that fee to $16 or $18.50?

While the government announced no new taxes, the Minister of State for Tourism and Aviation Branville McCartney announced in the House of Assembly last night that beginning July 1 passengers using Lynden Pindling International Airport and Family Island airports will have to pay security fees.

Link To Original Article (http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=12875)

HI said that there will be no increases in taxes neither any new taxes!

I told you he can't be trusted!

Anyway the former govt talked about creating a new user fee/tax for use of the airport for tourists and Bahamians alike for several years now so I expected it but not this year since it was anounced that there will be no new taxes..

But this new tax is needed for up keep of all the airports and I welcome it!!!

I just looked up my last two trips to Nassau and GBI.
NASSAU:
US Security Service Fee $2.50
US Immigration User Fee $7.00
US APHIS User Fee $5.00
Bahamas Departure Tax $15.00
US Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
US Federal Transport Tax $30.20
Airfare $110
Taxes $64.20
GRAND BAHAMA:
US Security Service Fee $2.50
US Immigration User Fee $7.00
US APHIS User Fee $5.00
Bahamas Departure Tax $15.00
US Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
US Federal Transport Tax $30.20
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee: $23.00
Bahamas Security Tax: $11.00
Airfare: $196.00
Taxes: $98.20
Note that $34 is added to the tax structure for Grand Bahama, not for Nassau. FPO is private, LPIA is not.
So two questions:
1. Is FPO considered a family island ($5.00 fee or $7.50 fee)?
2. Is this new security fee ontop of the existing fee for FPO pushing that fee to $16 or $18.50?


That answer will be interesting, since Freeport travelers are already paying fees for upkeep for a private airport. And we are already paying a larger security tax than the proposed...and I did not even recognize it.