Amendments to the Airport Taxes and Fees Act, impacting passengers departing from the Maldives, have officially come into force as of today. These changes introduce revised rates for the Airport Development Fee and Departure Tax, aimed at boosting government revenue.
The updated regulations apply the Airport Development Fee to all passengers leaving from Velana International Airport, while only the Departure Tax will be charged to those departing from other international airports across the country.
Under the new system, foreign travelers will see significant increases in airport taxes. For economy class, the fee rises from USD 30 to USD 50, while business class passengers will pay USD 120, up from USD 50. First-class travelers face a substantial hike, with fees increasing from USD 90 to USD 240. Private jet passengers will see the highest jump, with fees climbing from USD 120 to USD 480.
The Ministry of Finance anticipates that these adjustments will generate an additional USD 169 million in revenue, contributing to the governmentâs fiscal reform initiatives.
Despite these changes, Maldivian economy-class passengers will continue to pay the current rate, ensuring that the majority of local travelers remain unaffected. According to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), 97.8% of Maldivian passengers and 90.2% of foreign travelers flew economy last year.
In 2023, MIRA collected USD 65.5 million in Airport Development Fees and USD 64.1 million in Departure Taxes, highlighting the significant role these fees play in national revenue. The new amendments are expected to further bolster the countryâs financial outlook as it navigates its economic reform agenda.
