New airport fees that could see each passenger pay an extra $20 when they leave the Island have been defended by the Bermuda Government.

The new and amended fees announced by Bob Richards, the Minister of Finance, attracted intense criticism from the Progressive Labour Party as they were debated last Friday in the House of Assembly.

Opposition MPs said that the move would deter visitors from travelling to Bermuda and adversely impact tourism.

They also questioned whether United Airlines had been informed of the proposed hike in fees when Premier Michael Dunkley met with the airline just a few days before last week’s Parliamentary debate.

A Government spokesman told The Royal Gazette that airlines had been informed of the increase and that the Air Terminal Fees Amendment Regulations would not put the Island at a disadvantage compare to other Caribbean destinations.

Mr Richards told the House: “With the introduction of these new and amended fees, and inclusive of the $50 departure tax, the maximum total of airport fees paid by air passengers departing Bermuda will be $78.25.

“This proposed amount was benchmarked against fees levied by several airports within the Caribbean.

“The results of the benchmark study concluded that with the new and amended fees Bermuda will compare favourably to Bahamas: $76; Dominican Republic: $82.60; Turks & Caicos: $70 and Jamaica: $93.”

The spokesman added: “The Department of Airport Operations advised the International Air Transport Association, the global trade representative body for the airlines.

We continue to work with them to guide us through this process.”