Maldives to Implement Higher Airport Fees and Departure Taxes by December 2024

The Maldives government is set to propose amendments to the Airport Development Fee and Departure Tax Act during the upcoming parliamentary session starting Monday.

The proposed amendments to the Airport Departure Tax Act include significant changes to departure fees for travellers. For foreign passengers flying in economy class, the fee will rise from $30 to $50, while Maldivian economy class passengers will see no change in their fees, which will remain at $12 for the Departure Tax and $12 for the Airport Development Fee.

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Business class travellers, first-class passengers, and private jet passengers, including Maldivian nationality, will all see increases in their fees as follows:

• Business class travellers will experience an increase from $60 to $120, 
• First-class passengers will see their fees raised from $90 to $240. 
• All passengers travelling on private jets will face a substantial increase, with the fee rising from $120 to $480.

The amendments are set to take effect in December 2024, with the Ministry of Finance forecasting an increase in revenue of MVR 1.6 billion.

The planned increase in departure taxes seeks to improve the country’s reserves, reinforcing its financial position. At the same time, the additional revenue from the airport development fee will be invested in the Sovereign Development Fund.