Airport Development Fee Collections Surge to MVR 1.9 Billion in 2025

The Maldivian government collected MVR 1.9 billion in Airport Development Fees (ADF) in 2025, marking a sharp increase of nearly 70 percent compared to the previous year, according to the latest statistics released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

The data show that ADF revenues rose by approximately MVR 800 million from 2024, when the State received MVR 1.1 billion under the same category. The substantial growth has been largely attributed to revisions made to the Airport Development Fee and Departure Tax structure that came into effect in January last year.

Under the revised fee structure, the Airport Development Fee charged to foreign passengers was increased from USD 30 to USD 50. However, the changes did not affect Maldivian citizens travelling abroad in economy class, whose fees remained unchanged. At the same time, charges for both Maldivians and foreign nationals travelling in business class were raised to USD 120, while first-class passengers are now required to pay USD 240.

The most significant increase was applied to passengers travelling on private jets, who are now charged USD 480 per departure—a 300 percent rise compared to the previous fee. Authorities have previously stated that the revised rates were introduced to better reflect service costs and to strengthen revenue generation from the rapidly expanding aviation and tourism sectors.

MIRA statistics indicate that Airport Development Fees account for around six percent of total State revenue, underlining their growing importance to public finances. In 2025, the government recorded MVR 6.9 billion in revenue excluding taxes, while total State revenue for the year stood at MVR 32.7 billion.

With passenger numbers continuing to rise at the country’s main international gateway, including Velana International Airport, ADF collections are expected to remain a key contributor to government revenue in the years ahead.