Exit Tax

[BigTexas]

Two friends returning to America from Heathrow were charged $50 exit fee each. Can anyone explain to me what this is all about?

[Lord Panda]

Most airports charge taxes like the ones you mention. Most holiday companies include them in their prices, but it sounds like your friends were not. If you go to Vancouver you get charged $30 Canadian to leave on the pretext that it is towards the cost of building the airport in the first place!