Caribbean shock at airfare rise following tax cut
Airlines have increased fares to the Caribbean just three weeks after Chancellor George Osborne announced air passenger duty on flights to the islands would be reduced from next April.
British Airways confirmed that it has added £10 to ticket prices to six destinations – Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Kingston in Jamaica.
It said the move was "in response to market conditions" but one Caribbean tourist board said it was shocked at the decision. A Caribbean specialist operator described the move as "disappointing" so soon after the reduction in APD.
The operator, who did not wish to be named, said: "We’ve had no notification of an increase in this manner for any other region of the world."
Virgin Atlantic is believed to have followed the move with a £10 increase on some Caribbean routes, with immediate effect, although it refused to confirm the rise, saying only that decisions regarding pricing were commercially sensitive.
BA said fares to its other Caribbean destinations, Punta Cana, St Kitts and Nevis and the Port of Spain remained unchanged.
A spokesman for the airline said that even with the increase, low-season fares to the Caribbean were "well below" the levels of two years ago.
However, the Caribbean tourist industry expressed dismay at the increase so soon after the Chancellor announced that APD on flights to the islands would be reduced to the same level as to the US.
One Caribbean tourist board member said: "I can’t believe (BA) would do this so soon."
Elizabeth Fox, Jamaica Tourist Board regional director for UK and Northern Europe, said: "Following the recent APD victory for the Caribbean, it seems a real shame that BA and Virgin are looking to increase fares to destinations in the West Indies like Jamaica.
"Fares have been known to go up at this time of year, but it seems that the Caribbean is being singled out when other destinations are not being targeted for an increase.
"Just when travel agents had some good news to share with value-driven British travellers wishing to head to our beautiful region, the cost-saving message of not being charged extra for travel to our islands is being snatched away again."
In last month’s Budget, the Chancellor announced that all long-haul passengers would pay the same tax as those flying to the US from April 1, which represents a saving of £64 for a family of four flying to the Caribbean.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026