|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 21 June 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Second highest in SAARC region : Airport tax up Rs.500 from July 1 By Shirajiv Sirimane Airline industry officials point out that the decision by the Aviation Authority to increase the airport tax from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 from July 1 would place the Colombo Airport among the highest embarkation tax charging airports in the world. According to Assistant Director, Civil Aviation Authority Dias Gamwasam, the new fare will be imposed from July 1. He said that this increase was earlier scheduled for June 1. Civil Aviation Authority officials say that the additional income incurred through increased fee system would be utilised to develop gray areas of the Colombo airport. If one compares the airport tax charged in SAARC countries it is evident that when the new fare comes into effect, the Colombo airport would be one of the highest rates in the region. Indian airports charge a nominal fee of Rs.150 from nationals of Sri Lanka Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan and the Maldives while other nationals pay Rs. 500. In Nepal passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 900 if travelling to SAARC countries and Rs. 1,100 to all other international destinations. When this amount is converted, it is around Rs. 1,000 in Sri Lanka rupees. The Maldives airport charges US $ 10 per passenger while the embarkation tax at all Bhutan's airports is under Rs. 1000. The highest embarkation tax in the SAARC region being charged by Pakistan which is 1900 (Rs. 3200.) Pakistani rupees according to the officials of the Pakistan embassy One of the busiest and advanced airports in the Asian region Singapore charges 15 Singapore dollars equivalent to around Rs. 1000 as 'airport tax' while in Malaysia Passenger Service Charge (PSC) is priced at RM40.00 (around Rs. 1000) for international passengers and RM5.00 for domestic passengers. PSCs are normally included the airfare in both countries. The popular tourist destination Thailand charges an airport tax of 500 baht. The last increase in this regard was in 1998 in anticipation of an additional revenue of two billion baht. However in contrast the Colombo airport which charged Rs. 350 in recent times increased it to Rs. 1,000 and now to Rs. 1,500. Following are some of the airport tax charges in other Asian countries. Korea US $ 11, Myanmar US$ 10, Vietnam US$ 14, Australia US$6.6. Some of the European countries do not charge an airport tax. Most airlines and travel companies have pointed out that if the Colombo airport authorities wants to make an additional income, they could do so by charging an additional Rs. 500 from passengers from non SAARC counties - a norm practised in other SAARC countries while charging only Rs. 100,0 from Sri Lankan nationals. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
