Dubai to impose airport-service fee on departing passengers

[DUBAI] Dubai, home to Emirates airline, will impose a 35 dirham (US$9.53) airport-service fee on all passengers leaving the emirate, including transfers.

The fee will be collected by the airlines on departures after June 30 and transferred to Dubai Airports, according to a statement posted on the website of the Dubai crown prince. Dubai Airports expects 85 million passengers to use its facilities this year.

The desert city, home to the world's largest airline by international traffic, turned itself into a regional tourism and transport hub, while offering a largely tax-free environment. Earlier this month, Dubai raised parking fees at commercial areas.

BLOOMBERG