South Sudan closes airline offices over $5 passenger levy
Authorities in Wau ordered Kush Airlines and Arojet Airlines to shut down for refusing to collect a stamp duty on tickets.
Authorities in Wau, South Sudan, have ordered the closure of Kush Airlines and Arojet Airlines offices due to their refusal to collect a $5 stamp duty on air passengers. The state Revenue Authority insists the levy is constitutional and payable by individual travellers, not the companies.
Ishaq Mohammed Mustafa, a consultant with the State Revenue Authority, stated on Saturday that the stamp duty is a legally mandated fee for all travellers, with Article 179 of the constitution providing the basis for state revenue collection. He added that Kush Airlines had been instructed to collect the levy through ticket sales but refused to comply.
Makuec Deng Madut, Commissioner of the State Revenue Authority, clarified that the $5 charge is for individual passengers, particularly foreigners, and not the airline companies. Caretaker Finance Minister Brigadier General Julio Velario Osman noted that Kush Airlines had previously collected the duty but stopped, warning companies against non-compliance with government revenue policies.
Why it mattersTwo airline offices in Wau have been shut down by state authorities for failing to implement a $5 passenger levy, impacting air travel services.