News Desk
MALE’ — Combined revenue from the airport development fee and departure tax reached MVR 1.8 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 21.1 per cent from MVR 1.5 billion over the same period last year, according to MIRA’s May revenue report.
The two levies are charged separately on passengers departing the Maldives by air. Departure tax brought in MVR 928 million in the five-month period, up 20.6 per cent from MVR 769 million a year earlier. The airport development fee, which applies specifically to passengers departing Velana International Airport, collected MVR 942 million, up 21.6 per cent from MVR 774 million.
The airport development fee has been in place since May 2017. Departure tax was introduced in January 2022. Both levies exempt holders of diplomatic immunity and transit passengers, though the departure tax also exempts children under two. Direct transit passengers are additionally exempt from the airport development fee.
