Cabinet Approves US $8 Passenger Aviation Fee

Cabinet has approved the implementation of a US$8 passenger aviation service round trip charge for airlines flying to Jamaica.
Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, (March 17), Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, explained that the move will relieve airlines and local operators of the charge by reallocating it to passengers.
Under the Civil Aviation Act and Regulations, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAAA) is mandated to charge airlines and operators fees for the licensing, registration and certification of pilots and equipment, as well as for air navigational services. The fees are charged to the airline, and are therefore used in the calculation of the ticket prices for travel to Jamaica.
“The JCAA anticipates that the removal of the charge of the airlines will assist to lower their base ticket price. This will therefore offset any increase that the $8 per round trip would have, as the starting base price would be lower,” Minister Vaz said.