Airlines for America urges Congress to reject new airport tax hikes
Trade group Airlines for America is advising Congress to throw out tax increases proposed as part of the Trump Administration 2021 budget.
It works out at an inflation busting increase of more than 10%, A4A says.
The tax hikes would mean airline passengers pay an extra $2.7 billion per year on the $26 billion they paid in 2019.
The U.S. aviation industry and its customers are already hit with 17 federal aviation taxes and fees, A4A argues.
"Increasing taxes in any form would burden families with higher costs to fly, curtail job growth and limit air service options to small and rural communities,” it said.
"This proposal would increase taxes on passengers by an estimated $US618 million in FY2021 and $US22.3 billion between FY2021 and FY2030.”
Breaking down the costs, A4A says the customs fee increase would see a 34% increase, and the immigration fee would go up 29%.
"Since 2014, approximately $1.3 billion per year in TSA fees has been diverted away from its intended purpose, which is to pay for aviation security screening. Similar diversions have also been used for Customs and Border Protection fees."
"Instead of increasing taxes, there should be a focus on addressing the annual diversion of billions of dollars of security funds, the trade group added.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports