Cummins: Airport bill a major step

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Airport Service Charge (Amendment) Bill aimed at stimulating intra-regional travel from now until December 14. In introducing the bill, Leader of Public Business Senator Lisa Cummins said the measure, which reduces the airport service charge by 43 per cent, will see passengers, during the next five months or thereabouts, paying US$20 instead of US$35. The Minister of Energy and Business told the Upper Chamber that it is a significant step, one which will shore up the measures being taken by the Ministry of Tourism which has been in discussion with airlines such as InterCaribbean Airways, Air Antilles, and Caribbean Airlines, to boost travel from the countries in the region to Barbados. Cummins said, however, there was more to the intervention than stimulating travel. (GBM)