Sunday
24th Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
MP Ahmed Shiyam. Photo: Majiis
Parliament representative for Naifaru constituency Ahmed Shiyam declared that increasing airport fees for outbound passengers will have a negative impact on guesthouses.
The bill passed today in parliament was proposed by the government in 2019, to increase state income. Member of Parliament for Fuvahmulah-North constituency Mohamed Rasheed in December 2019 presented the bill on behalf of the government.
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 new bill, 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.
MP Shiyam posted a tweet stating that those in the guesthouse industry will be most affected by the amendment to increase fees collected from outbound passengers of the Maldivian airport.
Opposition members at the meeting today claimed the bill had not been discussed with those involved in the matter. The members expressed concern as the bill was passed without prior consultation with airlines.
Advocates for the government defended the amendment, refusing to accept that the government would allow for such a bill to be passed in parliament without discussing it with all involved parties.