Judicial protest over passenger service charge

The Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (FATTA) yesterday filed a judicial protest claiming that the way in which the Lm10 increase in passenger service charges was being imposed was unacceptable to travel agents, operators within the local market and members of the association.

The association filed the application in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the Finance Minister, the Minister of Competitiveness and Communication and the Attorney General.

FATTA referred to Legal Notice 60 of 2005 through which the passenger service charge for Maltese and Gozitans leaving Malta by air was to be increased from Lm10 to Lm20 per passenger as from August 1 this year.

They argued that since there already existed a payment for passengers who made use of the airport, which is payable to Malta International Airport plc, this passenger service charge was really and truly a departure tax.

Although Malta, as a member of the European Union, had the right to draw up laws and regulations about taxes and tax payment, FATTA argued that the way in which the passenger service charge had been increased was in breach of European laws that regulated fair competition and freedom of moment.

The association called on the authorities to reconsider the way in which the increase in the passenger service charge was imposed. This increase, FATTA insisted, would have a negative impact on outgoing tourism.

Dr Michael Tanti-Dougall signed the application.