Airport Tax

EU to take Malta to court over airport tax, Nina Chestney reports in Forbes.com

The European Commission said it will take Malta to court over the airport tax levied at Malta International Airport. The commission said the tax discriminates between air passengers. The Commission has therefore decided to lodge a formal complaint to the European Court of Justice.

'The airport tax is discriminatory as it is only levied on air passengers 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,' the EU executive said.

Added to that, 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.