Revenue collected from the airport development fee and departure tax during the first six months of the year has increased, statistics published by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority show, representing a 17.5 per cent rise when compared to the same period last year. Two distinct levies are currently imposed on passengers departing internationally from Maldivian airports: the departure tax and the airport development fee.
During the first half, these combined streams generated USD 136.19 million, a notable rise from the USD 116.73 million collected during the corresponding period in 2025, according to the tax authority. Collections for the departure tax reached USD 64.85 million, a 17 per cent increase from the USD 58.82 million recorded during the same period last year. Revenue from the airport development fee totalled USD 64.85 million, an 18 per cent increase from the USD 59.21 million collected during the equivalent timeframe in 2025.
The departure tax was implemented on 1 January 2022. The airport development fee, exacted from passengers departing internationally from Velana International Airport, has been collected since 1 May 2017. Specific demographics are granted exemptions from the departure tax, including those with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers, and children who have not reached the age of two. Individuals with diplomatic immunity and direct transit passengers remain exempt from the airport development fee.