Airport tax: S’pore will be triple Hong Kong’s?

Commercial airliner in flight over a cloud covered background.Commercial airliner in flight over a cloud covered background.

March 12, 2018

The rise of airport tax in S’pore.

I refer to the article “Help for airlines at Changi when higher airport charges kick in” (Straits Times, Mar 12).

It states that “With the higher charges to be levied from July 1, the departure fee for travellers flying out of Changi Airport will increase from $34 to $47.30. With incremental hikes after that, the total fee will hit $62.30 by 2024.”

As to “Other airports that have levied similar charges include those in Hong Kong, Taipei and Dubai” – “Singapore’s current fee at $34 is about 69 and 51 per cent higher than Hong Kong (S$20 (HKD120)) and Taipei (S$22 (NTD500)).

The about 39 per cent increase to $47.30 from 1 July, will make Singapore about 135 and 111 per cent higher than Hong Kong and Taipei.

The about 83 per cent increase to $62.30 by 2024, will make Singapore about 210 and 177 per cent higher than Hong Kong and Taipei.

The increase from $34 now to $62.30 by 2024 is a whopping 83 per cent.

The following charts showing that traffic increased historically, despite the increase in airport fees at Hong Kong and Taipei (without any mention of the comparative quantum increases), may arguably be a classic example of why our Press Freedom Ranking is at 151st in the world?

 

Leong Sze Hian

SHARE TWEET PIN SHARE

About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.