Extra charges begin on 15 Aug.

Here is an article copy:

Main News Last Updated: Aug 14th, 2007 - 17:25:13

$30-pa'anga extra for air passengers starting tomorrow.
posted
Aug 14, 2007, 16:38


It was oil, tomorrow it will be the air tickets. All departing passengers for overseas destinations will have to pay another 30-pa'anga on top of the current 25-pa'anga departure tax.

The increase is due to the inclusion of a $10 Security Fee and a $20 Airport Development Fee. The new Tonga Airports Limited claims such fees are commonplace in most countries.

It also says these fees are required to bring the airports of Tonga up to more stringent international standards. The fees will be used to upgrade the airport infrastructure for the safety, security and comfort of the public. An additional $2 security fee will apply to all departing domestic flights.

This initiative is taken by Tonga Airports Limited, while the new charges will be collected for TAL by their airline partners. The TAL had just imposed a parking fee for Fua'amotu International airport...ends

© Copyright by Tonga-broadcasting.com

I can understand the need to upgrade the airport facilities, they are pretty dreadful! But charging for parking??!!! Will they really do anything to fix that area??

Here is a follow-up article:

Main News Last Updated: Aug 17th, 2007 - 16:54:19

T$30 airport surcharge defer for September
By Radio Tonga News
Aug 17, 2007, 16:53


The 25 Pa'anga departure tax is expected to be added to the airfare of every passenger who will be traveling overseas.

The departure tax is normally paid by every departing passenger at the airport upon completion of check-in.

But this morning the Minister for the Public Enterprises, Afu'alo Matoto says this fee is expected to be included in the passenger痴 airfare beginning next February.

Meanwile the new surcharge of 30 Pa'anga that was proposed by the Tonga Airport limited is being deferred to come into effect next month but not last Wednesday as it was announced earlier this week.

The new surcharge is due to the inclusion of a 10 Pa'anga security fee and a 20 Pa'anga airport development fee.

The minister says it is important that Tonga Airports Limited or TAL, the new company who is taking care of all airports in Tonga, would be able to carry out all obligations to a higher and international level.

© Copyright by Tonga-broadcasting.com

When we left Tongatapu last week (3 September), we paid T$25 departure tax.

we paid T$30 on sept 8th...