January Departure Tax and ADF Revenue Up 58.6% Year-on-Year

Revenue collected from departure tax and Airport Development Fees (ADF) in January increased by 58.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to statistics released by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

MIRA reported that the government collected MVR 368 million in combined departure tax and ADF in January 2026, up from MVR 232 million in January 2025.

Departure tax revenue alone reached MVR 180 million in January, compared to MVR 115 million in the same month last year, marking a 56.5 per cent increase. Meanwhile, ADF collections totalled MVR 188 million, rising from MVR 117 million in January 2025 — a 60.6 per cent increase.

Passengers departing from Maldivian airports are required to pay both departure tax and ADF. The departure tax came into effect on 1 January 2022, while the Airport Development Fee was introduced on 1 May 2017 and applies to passengers departing from Velana International Airport.

Exemptions from departure tax apply to individuals with diplomatic immunity, transit passengers and children under the age of two. ADF exemptions apply to those with diplomatic immunity and passengers classified as direct transit travellers.