EC Queries Maltese Airport Tax

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

14 December 2006

The European Commission on Tuesday sent a reasoned opinion – the last step before a formal complaint to the Court of Justice is lodged – to Malta over the airport tax levied at Malta International Airport.

According to the EC, the airport tax differentiates between passengers in a discriminatory way.

It explained that:

"The current airport tax in Malta is discriminatory as it is only levied on an air passenger beginning an international journey from Malta airport, but not levied if the passenger had started the journey outside Malta. The tax therefore puts an unfair burden on residents in Malta, and makes it more difficult for them to receive and provide services in other Member States."

"Furthermore, domestic destinations are exempted from the airport tax. According to the Commission, the airport tax should not differentiate between domestic and other intra-Community flights."

Malta has two months to respond to the reasoned opinion.

.

 

 






Write a comment