Caribbean opposition to UK Air Passenger Duty increases

With their economies so dependent on tourism and large expatriate communities in the United Kingdom, it is not surprising that the developing economies of the Caribbean are opposed to the proposed increases in the UK's Air Passenger Duty.

A 7 April 2009 statement from the Government of Jamaica noted concern amongst the Jamaican community in the UK.

A 24 April 2009 story in the Telegraph noted that, because of the way the distance bands are structured (based on the location of capital cities), the Duty would be lower on those travelling to California than the Caribbean. They could have actually used Hawaii as an example, a point made by the Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

On 27 April 2009 Caribbean 360 reported that the Jamaican Minister of Tourism was to take his concerns to UK Parliamentarians.

On 30 April 2009 Caribbean 360 reported opposition from the Lelei LelauLu President of the Island Nations Climate and Oceans Programme.

The Duty is not hypothecated so the revenue raised does not go to environmental projects.