Skelton slams ‘unjust’ fee on domestic flights to sister islands

 

At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has issued a strong call for the removal of persons in authority responsible for instituting an unjust fee on residents flying from Tortola to Anegada and Virgin Gorda, arguing that the policy is harmful and must be urgently corrected.

“We need to get some of these people out of our country, because they’re doing us harm! They think they’re doing us good? They’re doing us harm. Pure stupidness!” Skelton told the House of Assembly recently. It’s understood that the fee is being imposed by the BVI Airports Authority.

He explained that passengers travelling from Tortola to Anegada and Virgin Gorda are being charged as much as $24, an increase from a previously reported $12 fee, on top of the cost of their ticket.

During Skelton’s remarks, Deputy Premier and Third District Representative Julian Fraser repeatedly interjected, stating that his government was not responsible for introducing the charge. This prompted Skelton to emphasise that his focus was not on assigning blame. “Forget about who did it — fix it,” he said, adding that the situation itself was the real problem.

According to Skelton, when he complained about the fee to the authorities, he was told it was not supposed to be $12, but rather $5, and that it was not intended to be a departure tax at all, but an airport development-related charge. However, he argued that regardless of how the fee is described, it should not be applied to domestic travel.

The veteran legislator also maintained that departure taxes are traditionally applied when travellers are leaving the territory, not for domestic travel. He also criticised the requirement for domestic travellers to pass through international-style screening systems, including metal detectors, when travelling to the sister islands.

Drawing comparisons with the USVI, Skelton noted that passengers travelling between St Thomas and St Croix are not required to use international departure lounges. “There’s a section for them to go and get on a plane and go where they’re going,” he said, questioning why similar arrangements are not in place in the BVI.

He argued that the territory should establish a separate domestic departure area for travellers to Anegada and Virgin Gorda, removing the need for international screening and associated charges. While acknowledging that international airline requirements may influence airport operations, Skelton insisted those standards should not be imposed on people travelling domestically.

“Why are we doing this to our people?” he asked, warning that policies such as these place unnecessary burdens on residents. He urged the government to act swiftly to address the issue, saying internal travel should be made easier and more affordable for Virgin Islanders, not more expensive or restrictive. You don’t need it. Don’t justify that kind of stuff; it makes no sense.