Beginning June 30, flights that depart from Dubai airports will require all passengers to pay a departure tax of 35 dirham (approximately $9.50). This newly imposed tax will apply to all flights leaving Dubai for international destinations, but will not apply to passengers stopping over in Dubai.

This new fee is part of a greater plan to improve the infrastructure and capacity capability of the larger of the two airports: Dubai International Airport. Proceeds from the departure fee will go toward renovating Terminal 1, expanding Terminal 2 and constructing a new concourse (Concourse D). The fee will also fund future construction and development of the smaller Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. The departure fee will be collected from passengers when tickets are issued, whether online or at the airport.

As a result of a recent decrease in the region’s oil prices, authorities are seeking alternative sources of income. With a projected annual income of $743 million from the departure tax alone, Dubai plans to prepare for increasing capacity, hoping to reach 100 million passengers by 2023.