President ratifies bill, ADC to be taken starting May 1

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, this Wednesday, ratified the law on airport tax and charges, which calls for implementation of Airport Development Charge (ADC) from passengers travelling out of Maldives from the international airports.

USD 12 will be taken from locals and USD 12 and USD 25 from foreigners as ADC.

ADC was included in the projected State budget for 2017, and the law on airport tax and charges was passed by People’s Majlis on November 24.

The law calls for implementation of an already existing tax – an airport service charge of USD

12 from locals and USD 25 from foreigners who travel out of Maldives from an airport.

The charge does not apply to individuals with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers, and children below the age of 2 years.

The law then calls from the implementation of ADC, which does not apply to individuals with diplomatic immunity.

The law says ADC will be applicable on the first of the fifth month after it is ratified; which means ADC will be applicable starting May 1, 2017.

Maldives has four international airports; Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, A. Dh. Maamingili Villa International Airport, and Gan International Airport of Addu City.

The new law makes the law on airport service charge made in 1978 obsolete.