News DeskIn the past fiscal year, the Maldivian government witnessed a substantial surge in revenue from the Airport Development Fee (ADF) and departure tax, reaching an impressive MVR 1.9 billion, according to data released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).
Breaking down the figures, the MIRA report indicates that the state collected MVR 1 billion from ADF and MVR 983 million from departure tax in the previous year. It is noteworthy that these two fees are distinct revenue streams.
Comparing the recent data to the figures of 2022, the ADF revenue experienced a noteworthy 18.9% increase, soaring to MVR 849 million in the preceding year. Similarly, the departure tax collection demonstrated a robust 18.3% growth, reaching MVR 983 million, up from MVR 830 million in 2022.
The departure tax, implemented since January 1, 2022, is applied to passengers departing from Maldives airports, while the Airport Development Fee is levied on every passenger leaving Vellana International Airport (VIA).
The fee structure for departure tax and airport development fees is outlined as follows:
- Economy Class: Maldivians: $12 / Foreigners: $30
- Business Class: Maldivians: $60 / Foreigners: $60
- First Class: Maldivians: $90 / Foreigners: $90
- Private Jet: Maldivians: $120 / Foreigners: $120
This surge in revenue from airport taxes and fees aligns with the remarkable increase in tourist visits to the country, with a record breaking 1.8 million tourists exploring the country last year.
