Leaving Trinidad more costly

Departure tax in Trinidad raised by 100 per cent.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Monday April 2, 2012 – Departure tax coming from Trinidad and Tobago’s Piarco International Airport has doubled.

Approval for the increase of the island’s departure tax by 100 per cent came from the board of the Airport Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT) on February 2, and will be added to airline tickets.

Travellers leaving the twin-island state will now pay $200 in departure tax as opposed to $100.

According to reports, the island’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Devant Majaraj said the increase was justified as new security demands resulted in an increase in the cost of operations.

It is understood that the airport’s security fees increased from $17.9 million in 2010 to $18.3 million for the 2011 to 2012 financial year. This resulted from a number of events, including the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre in America which increased security requirements at airports worldwide.

It is understood that the AATT is owed $154 million by tenants, including Trinidad-based air carrier, Caribbean Airlines, which owes about $60 million. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)