Over MVR 1.5 billion has been collected as airport taxes and fees thus far this year.
Statistics from state tax authority, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) show that the state collected $98 million (MVR 1.5 billion) from Airport Development Fee (ADF) and Departure Tax.
Of this, MVR 674 million was collected as Departure Tax and MVR 693 million as ADF, marking an increase of MVR 143 million compared to the same period last year. In 2023, the combined total was MVR 1.3 million. The government expects to receive MVR 1 billion in Depature Tax and MVR 1 billion in ADF by the end of this year.
The Departure Tax, introduced in January 2022 to replace the airport service charge, applies to all departing passengers except those with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers, and children under two. Meanwhile, the ADF is charged to all passengers departing from Velana International Airport, with exemptions for transit passengers on direct transit flights and those with diplomatic immunity.