The Hungarian flight company Wizz Air is known as "low cost" and as such has started operating at "Mother Teresa" International Airport. But it seems that the Hungarians only have "the habit" of making low-cost flights.
The managers of this company have lobbied Prime Minister Rama for the Government to remove the border tax, 10 euros per passenger, to justify, according to them, the further reduction of ticket prices. In fact, in recent months the prices for trips from Tirana to European countries and vice versa have increased.
Not only can Wizz Air no longer be called "low cost", but it also collects 20 million euros from the border tax that belongs to the Albanian state. So, the money that should have gone to the state budget, already goes to the coffers of the Hungarian company.
"20 million euros are stolen from the budget and transferred to Wizzair's account. Now, as a reward, the Hungarian low cost violet is charging citizens abusive prices. Leave the scandalous service then. Of course, these are within their right to set the prices they want. But they have no right to steal the border tax. Bring back the tax and get the money in the budget", writes economy journalist Klodian Tomorri.
His full note on Wizz Air and the border tax:
How do they steal the border tax?
The air distance from Milan to Berlin is about 850 kilometers.
The air distance from Tirana to Vienna is about 810 kilometers.
To travel from Milan to Berlin, round trip these days costs less than 200 euros.
To travel from Tirana to Vienna these days costs at least 550 euros.
Compare the prices for each destination. Rinasi is the most expensive airport in Europe. Albanians pay at least twice as much as their European neighbors for air flights.
A few months ago, the government, with the Prime Minister's proposal, removed the border tax, which was 10 euros per passenger. This was a tax that brought the budget about 20 million euros per year. The prime minister removed it after meeting the head of Wizzar, justifying that the removal of the tax would lower ticket prices for citizens.
But the tickets have flown in the sky. Including those of Wizzair, the low-cost airline.
20 million euros are stolen from the budget and transferred to Wizzair's account. Now, as a reward, the low cost Hungarian violet is charging citizens abusive prices. Leave the scandalous service then.
Of course, these are within their right to set the prices they want. But they have no right to steal the border tax. Return the tax and receive the money in the budget. A lot of taxes are removed with lobbying.
The highest prices for flight tickets, among the highest prices for food, champions for oil for the poorest people in Europe. Rape on an industrial scale.