Government Plans New Laws to Regulate Airport Transport
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving to draft new legislation aimed at regulating airport transportation, amid growing complaints from local taxi operators about unfair competition from hotel-operated luxury vehicles.
During the post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Chief of Staff Ambassador Lionel Hurst confirmed that consultations are set to begin with key stakeholders, including taxi associations and hotel representatives, to shape the proposed legal changes.
“We understand the concerns of the taxi drivers who pay special fees to operate from the VC Bird International Airport,” Hurst said. “They feel it’s unfair that unregulated operators with A or C license plates can pick up and drop off high-paying guests without meeting the same requirements.”
Many hotels and private concierge services have been deploying luxury vehicles to transport guests to and from the airport. While these services cater to visitors paying premium rates, they currently fall outside the existing regulatory framework, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
Hurst noted that the current legislation does not permit these services to operate as they are now, but acknowledged the demand for high-end transport options in the tourism sector.
“We’re not saying no to luxury. We’re saying it has to be regulated,” he explained. “We want to accommodate both the needs of hotels and the rights of licensed taxi operators.”
Under the proposed changes, the government may introduce special ‘luxury transport’ plates and a new licensing structure that includes an additional fee for operators offering premium services. The aim is to level the playing field while still allowing the tourism sector to meet the expectations of its higher-end clientele.
The Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board and law enforcement agencies are also expected to step up enforcement efforts at the airport in the interim, though officials are mindful of maintaining a welcoming environment for visitors.
“We don’t want the airport to feel like a police zone,” Hurst added, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that protects livelihoods without deterring tourists.
The legislation is still in its early stages, and no timeline has been announced for its introduction in Parliament. However, the government has made clear that change is coming—one that seeks to bring order to the growing clash between traditional taxi services and emerging luxury transport operators.
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Should there not also be a PUBLIC transport system running through the airport?
There cannot be many international airports in the world where there is not a bus, train or tram system available to the public outside the arrival and departure gates.
Not everybody can afford a taxi or have friends or family available