When it comes to planning and booking a vacation, flights take up a large chunk of the travel budget. For travellers, accommodating flight fares may lead to compromises in the travel plans. However, flights can be expensive for a reason; flyers pay an airport tax in addition to the base fare. Most flyers are not always aware of the airport tax as it is usually summed up with the total price of the ticket, making it easy to miss. Airport tax is levied on flyers to upkeep the facilities and buildout of airports as part of passenger’s airfare in most countries, barring a few, where it is incurred as an extra travel cost.
But with knowledge comes power and global travel search app, Skyscanner gives the lowdown on airport tax for some of the world’s most-travelled airports and ways to bag savings in flight bookings.
Dubai
Dubai has topped the charts as the world’s popular travel destination during the past decade. The middle-east hub of commerce and culture introduced airport tax only in 2016 of $9.50 USD2 on international flights. Planning way ahead of departure is the ultimate pro-tip for scoring exciting deals on flight fares. Once again, use knowledge to your advantage and always be in the know of the fluctuating flight fares with ‘Price Alerts’- your ally in spotting the best flight fare for your travel dates. Skyscanner equips its users with alerts on rise and fall of prices for the destination, giving travellers options to book the best fare.
London
One of the busiest airports in the world, Heathrow welcomed 71m travelers in 2016 and the airport tax went skyrocketing to $105.01 USD by 2017 for long-haul economy flights. To avoid expensive fares, deals on travel, hotels. etc. can be a major cost saver. The ‘Top Deals’ option on Skyscanner app is a value for money feature that keeps you notified of unbeatable deals on flights.
Singapore
Changi Airport is a destination on its own; with two free cinemas, a swimming pool, six-metre waterfall and butterfly garden housing 1,000 species, it can keep travellers engaged for hours. Flyers heading out of Changi may soon have to pay between $10 USD and $15 USD5 more in addition to the total price of the flight ticket. For destinations that are evergreen through the year, find out the ‘Cheapest month’ which is a sure-fire way of getting matchless deals on the destination of your choice.
Bangkok
Thailand’s biggest airport, Suvarnabhumi, makes for Instagram-worthy pictures owing to its distinct design and marvellous architecture. The airport charges departure tax of $22.225 USD6 is already included in the price of the ticket. To lessen the cost, redeem your miles early on the airplane tickets and enjoy the marvels of Thailand.