The government has collected MVR 1.7 billion as Airport Development Fee (ADF) and Departure Tax thus far this year.
According to the Finance Ministry, the state received MVR 873.2 million in ADF as of November 23, while Departure tax collection stood at MVR 847.9 million. This marks a significant increase from the amount collected during same period last year. The government received MVR 738 million in ADF, and MVR 721.8 million in Departure tax during the same period last year.
The government began charging a departure tax on January 2022 after abolishing the airport service charge on December 31, 2021. This is a tax levied on passengers departing from an airport in the Maldives. Those with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers, and children under the age of two are exempt from this tax.
ADF is a fee charged to every passenger departing from Velana International Airport, including transit passengers. Only those with diplomatic immunity and transit passengers traveling on a "direct transit" flight are exempt from this fee.
The government amended the law and changed the rate of ADF charges from January 1, 2022, charging US$12 for domestic passengers and US$30 for foreigners. Business class passengers are charged US$60, first-class passengers US$90, and private jet passengers US$120. Departure tax is also charged at the same rate.
