Airline travelers would pay more to help finance airport projects under President Barack Obama's budget plan.Now just wait a minute. If these new governmental fees will discourage flying, what about the checked bag fees, and food fees, and flight change fees... and all that other nonsense imposed by the airlines in the last few years. Aren't some of those discouraging flying as well? I know they've discouraged me from flying on the airlines that have them.
The president's budget released Monday would raise the "passenger facility charge" to a maximum of $7 from $4.50 per flight to offset $1.1 billion in cuts to airport grants. Airports use the passenger-charge money for FAA-approved safety and expansion projects.
Just because it's in the president's budget doesn't mean the increased facility charge will fly. Some Republicans with a hand in writing aviation laws have different ideas. Airlines are also fighting the proposal, saying it amounts to a $2 billion tax increase on the flying public. Airline executives argue the increase could discourage more people from flying.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Airlines Protest New Fees
But only when they're imposed by somebody else:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
Sure depends upon whose Ox is being gored! Airlines have not been shy to charge more fees in preference to simply raising rates across the board. The fees have been successful in modifying frequent flyer travel luggage and carry-on behavior, but they punish the uninitiated or occasional flyer. In the end people will adapt to carry-on fees by reducing their baggage requirements, or by choosing airlines based upon carry-on policies.
Probably the inspection procedures for carry-on luggage will eventually get most in the checked category anyway.
Post a Comment