The next time you bring back a box of duty-free liquor or rum from the islands, it may not be much of a bargain.
Indications are that American Airlines, and perhaps others, will consider that box a second piece of luggage, and fair game for the new $25/per bag charge being levied by air carriers.
Beverly Nicholson Doty, the VI Tourism Commissioner, told the St. John Source, the department is asking airlines for help, but so far there’s no offer of a waiver. She added her energies now will have to be focused on generating increased travel to the Territory, to make up for gross receipts taxes that will be lost through lower liquor sales.
A vice president of A.H. Riise, the islands’ largest duty-free retailer, told the Source AA’s baggage fees make for what he called a ‘challenging retail environment." Read the Source’s story here: http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1212898195