Caricom ministers responsible for transportation have been discussing problems facing intra-Caribbean travel. There have been been complaints about rising air fares as competition among airlines decreases and also calls for a sea ferry service connecting nations of the region. The issues were on the agenda of a meeting of the CARICOM Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting in St Vincent. Caricom prime minister responsible for air transportation, Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines who is hosting the meeting underlined the importance of transportation links between the islands. "Given the spatial distribution of our member states and their separation by large expanses of water, air and maritime transportation play a critical role in the development of our economies." He said the meeting had to give priority to a number of issues including, "completing the single market for transportation; whether a regional airline is possible or if functional corporation is a more realistic option." He also mooted the idea of "possibilities for an inter-island ferry service, not just for passengers but importantly for goods." Concerns about the cost of air travel have increased, since the two regional inter-island carriers Liat and Caribbean Star began sharing routes ahead of next month's finalisation of a merger. Airline and tourism officials have attributed a steep hike in air fares partly to rising fuel prices and escalating government taxes ranging from US$78 to $280, depending on the destination and travel itinerary. Caricom's focus on transportation comes at a time when the region is coping without a regional shipping line for products from the common market. Reprinted from bbccaribbean.com