Majority of lawmakers speak out against airport development charge

Majority of People’s Majlis members have spoken out against introducing the Airport Development Charge (ADC) of USD 25 from local and international passengers leaving Maldives from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), including some members of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

The bill, submitted by PPM member, Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Rasheed says that an Airport Service Charge of USD 25 will be taken from foreigners and USD 12 from locals; and a ADC of USD 25 will be taken from both foreigners and locals.

During the debate on the bill held this Thursday, opposition parties – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhoory Party (JP) spoke out against the bill.

MDP member, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) said that ADC was taken in a lot of countries, but that it should not be implemented without in-depth evaluation.

Adhaalath Party member, Makunudhoo MP Anara Naeem said that the extra charge should be taken after considering the income gap within the community and the difference in standard of living. She said that if the government wanted to implement ADC, the same charge shouldn’t be applied to passengers who travel out of the country on holiday, and those who travel out of the country out of necessity to obtain medical care.

JP member, Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain said that the duration of the ADC and how the income should be used needs to be decided before its implemented.

North Henveiru MP, Abdulla Shahid was more outspoken about his disapproval, saying that the government should be ashamed of taking such a tax from Maldivians.

Many of the opposition lawmakers noted that government aligned lawmakers also disapproves of implementing ADC on Maldivians.

During the debate, government aligned lawmakers noted that the opposition had shown no objection when a tax of USD 25 was taken from passengers when GMR had been in charge of INIA, and questioned why they opposed implanting the ADC now.

Opposition lawmakers countered that GMR had decided to exempt Maldivians from having to pay the tax.

Gemanafushi MP Jameel Usman said he approved of the bill, but noted that the heath sector and local tourism needed to be developed to cut down the number of trips taken out of the country by Maldivians.

Deputy Speaker of Majlis, Hulhu Henveiru MP Reeko Moosa Manik also provided his backing to the bill, saying that it did not make any sense for Maldivians who travel out of the country to have no objection to paying tax in international airports, but have objection paying a tax for use of national airport.