Sao Tome, Nov. 19, 2024 (Lusa) - According to a cabinet resolution Lusa saw on Tuesday, the government of Sao Tome has increased the airport taxes paid by passengers from €54 to €220 as of 1 December.
The Aeronautical Development Fee (TSDA) has been set at €62, Airport Security Fees at €28 and Regulation Fees (TR) at €20, which, multiplied by two for return journeys, total €220 for passengers on international flights.
For domestic flights to the island of Príncipe, Aeronautical Development Fees have been set at seven euros, Airport Security Fees at four euros and Regulation Fees at five euros, which, multiplied by two for round trips, are €21 per passenger.
However, the resolution establishes exemptions for children under the age of 2 and transit passengers ‘as long as they don't change flights’ and a 75% reduction in Aeronautical Development Fees and Regulation Fees for children between the ages of 2 and 12.
‘The amounts due as TSDA and TR are charged directly to the passenger or through the air carriers and their agents when the travel document is issued and must be identified on the document,’ reads the resolution.
The Regulation Fee ‘constitutes revenue for the National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC) and must be used exclusively to implement the National Civil Aviation Security Programme and the National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme to support the security activities carried out by the entities with responsibility for civil aviation security and other actions inherent to the promotion of the civil aviation security system,’ it adds.
On the other hand, it is added that the Aeronautical Development Fees and Airport Security Fees for international flights, ‘constitute revenue for the airport management body and must be used exclusively for the acquisition, financing, installation, operation and maintenance of equipment, the acquisition of services and materials, as well as other relevant management expenses for the airport operator itself.’
At a press conference on Monday, following complaints from several São Toméans, especially on social media, some officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure and INAC justified the increase in fees as part of the airport's concession contract with a private company made up of Turkish investors, to modernise the infrastructure.
The president of the Civil Aviation Administration Board, António dos Santos Lima, assured that the private Turkish company ‘will create improvements’ and emphasised that ‘money is needed to modify the infrastructure’, which he said was the target of constant criticism.
In June, the Sao Tome government signed a 49-year concession contract with FB Airport STP, a Turkish company part of the FB group, to manage, upgrade, and modernise the infrastructure.
At the time, the Minister of Infrastructure, José Rio, said that the project would be carried out in three phases and that it was expected to begin between September and October after the Court of Auditors had given its approval. Still, so far, no work has begun.
José Rio said that the first phase will invest around €85 million, with more than €100 million added in the second phase and €144 million in the third phase.
The government estimates that in the first phase, the airport will be able to handle 500,000 passengers a year, one million in the second phase and around 1.5 million passengers in the third phase.
JYAF/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
