Bill on USD 25 Airport Development Charge sent to Committee

Bill on implementation of a USD 25 Airport Development Charge (ADC) on both local and international passengers leaving Maldives had been accepted by People’s Majlis and sent to General Purpose Committee for evaluation.

53 lawmakers voted to send the bill to committee for evaluation during the Majlis sitting this Thursday, while 22 lawmakers voted to reject the bill.

The bill, submitted by member of Progressive Party of Maldives (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.

Speaking during the preliminary debate on the bill, 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.

Jumhoory Party 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.

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.

Member of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), 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.