Barbudans pay more for travel to Antigua

St. John’s Antigua- Deputy Chairman of the Barbuda Council has confirmed that the price of air travel between the sister isle and Antigua has increased.

Fabian Jones said the $20 price hike took effect around a week ago moving the airfare to $278.

He said the airline took the decision after stating it was losing around $10,000 a month.

“The management of the airline did speak to me about three weeks ago or so about a fare increase. What they are saying is that since have been operating between Antigua and Barbuda there have been an increase in fuel price at least three times and they have absorbed that cost. They have written to the minister of aviation outlining the operations and outlining to them the importance of the government giving them a subsidy for them to continue to operate” Jones said.

However, the Council’s deputy chairman said he has pointed out to the airline that they will have to alter their approach if they hope to receive a subsidy from the government.

“They have sent to the minister their monthly loss, but I have pointed out to them they need to show a breakdown as to how they are operating; this is what they make and this is what they spend rather than giving a blanket figure as to how much they are losing by month,” Jones said.

Jones said he also urged the airline to be the ones to go to the residents of Barbuda and explain the need for the price hike. “I have said to them they need to come to Barbuda and do a town hall meeting because it is important from the Barbuda end that people understand why there must be an increase,” Jones said.

The airline did not follow his suggestion for a town hall meeting. The council’s deputy chairman said there is a widespread need for increased dialogue with residents prior to such decisions.

“I think it’s important that they have dialogue with the residents especially from Barbuda because Barbudans have to travel to Antigua for certain services. They have to travel to the mainland for certain services that are not provided in Barbuda and it is important that in terms of any fare structure that there should be some sort of dialogue,” Jones said.

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