Thursday
18th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Tourists at Velana International Airport.
The Parliament today made a unanimous decision to pass the bill to increase fees and taxes collected from outbound passengers.
The amendment was proposed to parliament by the government in 2019, to help increase state income. Parliament representative for Fuvahmulah-North constituency Mohamed Rasheed presented the bill on behalf of the government in 2019.
Currently, Velana International Airport (VIA) collects USD 12 as development charges and USD 12 as service charge from locals. The fees for foreigners are USD 25 as development charges and USD 25 as service charge.
Currently, Velana International Airport (VIA) collects USD 12 as development charges and USD 12 as service charge from locals. The fees for foreigners are USD 25 as development charges and USD 25 as service charge.
The new bill stated that locals flying economy class will be charged the present USD 12, those flying business class will be charged USD 60, and first-class will be charged USD 90. Foreigners traveling business and first class will be charged the same amount.
However, foreigners flying economy class will now be charged USD 30.
The government has also proposed charging a fee of USD 120 each for inbound passengers that utilize private jets.
According to the amendment, including taxes, locals flying economy will now be paying a total of USD 24, and foreigners of the same class will be paying USD 60. Locals and foreigners traveling business will pay a total of USD 120, and those traveling first class will pay USD 180. Passengers utilizing private jets will pay a total of USD 240.