Dubai airport imposes tax on passengers to cover renovation expenses

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Travellers flying out of Dubai’s airports will pay a new fee to cover improvements at the long-haul hub, the city-state’s crown prince announced on Wednesday, as Gulf countries grapple with low oil prices.

Passengers departing from Dubai will pay a 35-dirham ($9.50) service fee for flights leaving after June 30 that have been booked since March 1, according to a statement from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

That includes most passengers transiting through Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel though children under 2 will be exempt.

The statement said the fee will go toward expansion projects like Dubai International Airport’s new Concourse D, the expansion of the airport’s Terminal 2 and the renovation of Terminal 1.

The city is also expanding Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, with hopes of one day transferring all Emirates airline flights there.

The statement offered no revenue estimates.

Over 78 million passengers passed through Dubai International Airport last year alone, which could have brought in over $740 million had the fee been placed.

Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, in Dubai’s desert expanse near where it will host the 2020 World Expo, saw over 460,000 passengers last year, which could have meant another $4.3 million.

While airport fees are levied across the world, Dubai’s announcement comes as oil prices have slumped to under $40 a barrel.

These low prices which are likely to remain depressed for some time, have forced the United Arab Emirates and its Gulf neighbours to consider taxes and levy other fees to raise money.

 

1 COMMENT

  1. DUBAI Airline passengers flying from Dubai ar paying a Dh35 tax for all flights popping out when June thirty.Airlines began charging the exit fee on March one, Dubai Media workplace aforementioned on Wednesday, adding that it might facilitate to fund Dubai airports’ infrastructure and support enlargement.These embrace Dubai International Airport’s recently opened Concourse D, and renovations and expansions to its Terminal one and a pair of – all a part of a Dh4.4billion investment to boost service and capability.Passengers below 2 years recent, cabin crew and transit passengers outgoing on a similar flight variety on that they arrived ar exempt.Dubai’s departure fee isn't distinctive. different countries charging associate degree exit tax embrace Australia, Germany, China and therefore the UK.

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