GNR formally informs airlines of decision to charge airport development fee

GMR, the Indian company which is running the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, has formally informed all the airlines operating flights to the Airport of its decision to charge 25 US Dollars per passenger from every passenger starting from January 2012.

A letter signed by GMR CEO Andrew Harrison and sent to airline offices last Thursday said that the company had previously tried to start imposing the charges unsuccessfully, and that the fees could no longer be delayed. The letter stated that from the 1st of coming January, every passenger would be charged as per the new arrangement.

GMR letter also said that Airport fees are already being charged from all passengers who use Maldives’ largest airport, and that the fees shall be charged in the future.

Both Maldivians and foreign travelers using the Airport would be subject to the same amount as Airport Development Fee. GMR reports that leaflets and other means of information on the new fees would be provided to all passengers with the beginning of December this year.

The decision by GMR to charge Airport Development Fees from all passengers has been heavily criticized in the country. MATATO, the Maldives Association for Travel and Tour Operators, has already issued a statement opposing the decision, saying that this fee would result in bad reputation for the Maldives among international airlines, and that it would have adverse affects on the country’s tourism sector.