Effective March 1, passengers departing the Norman Manley International Airport are expected to pay more in airport improvement fees after an increase was approved by the Senate, yesterday.

The fee will move from US$5 (approximately J$33.50) to US$10 (J$67) and will be applicable to airline tickets issued on or after March 1, 2007.

Leader of Government Business in the Senate, A.J. Nicholson, who piloted a resolution unanimously supported by members in the Senate, yesterday, said the increase was necessary to upgrade the standard of the Norman Manley International Airport.

Not sufficient resources

"The revenues of the airport at the current level of the fee do not provide sufficient resources to enable the Airports Authority to secure the kind of financing necessary to undertake development to ensure that the airport meets and maintains international levels of service," he said.

Government Senator Noel Sloley said the increase was within mid-range of what was being charged in other countries in the region, such as Barbados, which charges US$12.50.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Anthony Johnson, agreed that the increase was necessary in light of the improvement that was being done at the airport.

He, however, encouraged the Government to get local entrepreneurs involved in establishing businesses at the airports.

"We must find methods of transforming our people up the ladder," he said.

The airport improvement fees were first introduced in February 2003.