There's mounting concern over the cost of airline ticket prices within the region.

Mark Darby says while the fares charged by the airline have not been increased they have had to add on a number of government related taxes and charges.

The cost of air travel within the region is a cause of concern among travellers and tourism industry officials.

In fact some feel that it's causing a reduction in regional tourist traffic.

One who holds that opinion is Maria Fowell, the Director of the St Lucia Tourist Board.

Maria Fowell Director of the St Lucia Tourist Board

So BBC Caribbean put the issue to Mark Darby CEO of LIAT Caribbean Star who started by telling us that cheap fares are available.

Mark Darby CEO LIAT Caribbean Star

On the LIAT website it states that the fares are one-way and exclusive of surcharges, fees and taxes.

The LIAT Caribbean Star Fare Structure

There's a 73 US dollars difference in the LIAT inbound and outbound fare between Antigua and Barbados.

LIAT pricing structure from Antigua to Barbados LIAT fare: 151 dollars Sales Tax: 15 dollars and 10 cents Passenger facility charge: one dollar and fifty cents Fuel surcharge: 10 dollars and 25 cents Total government charges: 23 dollars and 85 cents Total ticket price from Antigua to Barbados:177 dollars and 85 cents. LIAT

Returning to Antigua from Barbados, the LIAT airfare is 78 dollars but when government charges are added the overall price goes up to 136 dollars and 5 cents.

The full fare

This puts the price for a round trip between Antigua and Barbados at 213 dollars and 90 cents, of which 84 dollars and 90 cents or 39 per cent is made up of government charges.

LIAT pricing structure from Barbados to Antigua LIAT fare: 78 dollars Sales tax: 7 dollars and 80 cents Passenger facility charge: 10 dollars Airport development tax: 27 dollars and 50 cents Airport Authority charge: 2 dollars and 50 cents Fuel and Insurance surcharge: 10 dollars and 25 cents Total government charges out of Barbados: 58 dollars and 5 cents Total ticket price from Barbados to Antigua: 136 dollars and 5 cents LIAT

An alternative

All this has prompted St Lucia's Prime Minister to consider a ferry service as an alterantive means of inter-island travel on some destinations.

He's already begun talks with three other Caribbean leaders on introducing a fast inter-Island boat service.

Prime Minister John Compton told Pete Ninvalle that the situation is at odds with the objectives of the Caricom Single Market and Economy.