I hate airport taxes — who doesn’t, I suppose? Nothing quite makes my reward travel feel “unrewarding” like the $200+ air passenger duty which is levied for itineraries originating in the UK.
But when it comes to airport taxes, I think the Simon Bolivar International Airport of Maiquetia in Caracas, Venezuela takes the cake. Per CNN:
Anyone departing from the Simon Bolivar International Airport of Maiquetia in Caracas now faces a levy of 127 bolivars ($18) to pay for a new air conditioning unit installed earlier this year, according to a statement on the airport’s website.
The airport says its air conditioning system “eliminates contaminants” and injects ozone into the atmosphere to improve the environment and protect the health of passengers.
It boasts that the system is the first of its kind in an airport anywhere in South America and the Caribbean.
The “breathing tax” which came into force on July 1 and must be paid by all domestic and international passengers to airlines at check in, has generated bemusement in Venezuela, with many taking to Twitter to criticize the measure.
It seems that there’s a potential loophole in this tax. It’s only charged if you fly out of Caracas Airport. Think of all the free, premium air you could get just by visiting the airport for fun? Talk about value!
Or is Caracas Airport one of those airports which requires you to show your travel itinerary before even entering the building? If not, it sounds like it’s about time that they do.
So, has anyone experienced this new state of the art ozone-injecter in Caracas?
(Tip of the hat to RS)
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