ST.JOHN'S Antigua, May 30th, 2012 -- Government has moved to put legislation in place to assist with plans to develop and enhance the V.C Bird International airport.
In introducing the Airport Administration Charge Act, 2012, during Wednesday’s sitting of parliament Minister of Finance and the Economy the Hon. Harold Lovell said Government is working to have a strong Airport Authority put in place and to develop and enhance the V.C Bird International Airport.
The Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority is mandated to construct, develop, upgrade and improve the airport as well as other aviation facilities in Antigua and Barbuda. The act also allows the Airport Authority to prescribe and collect rates, fees and other charges which may be authorized by this act and other regulations made under the act.
The Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority also has a mandate to construct, equip and to maintain the runways, the passenger terminals, the concourses, taxi ways, aprons, baggage handle equipment, parking facilities and other passenger convenience facilities.
Minister Lovell said after the act is brought into effect it is expected that the airport will be able to operate and service its liabilities with no input from central government and will no longer be dependent upon government for subventions.
The Finance Minister added that Government wants to make certain that V C bird International airport can be adequately and professionally staffed and managed. And that charges, are in line with other international airports, operating at various hubs in the Caribbean and in the hemisphere.
Minister Lovell said Government is also seeking to simplify the number of taxes charged per airline ticket.
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