Airlines seeking federal help to cut $10 billion losses
There was growing enthusiasm for a one-year moratorium from the federal tax on jet fuel to save the ailing US airlines $600 million.
Industry officials are making their case to the US Congress this week at Senate hearings.
US airline losses this year could reach $10 billion, estimated the Air Transport Association.
US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said the rebate idea was worth looking at but added the Bush Administration has yet to formulate a policy on tax breaks for airlines.
“There simply is no rational business plan we can continue to operate under with fuel at the price it is today,” Jim May, head of the Air Transport Association, told CNBC.
The federal gas tax is set at 4.3 cents a gallon on jet fuel.
If fuel prices had stayed where they were last year, the airlines would have been profitable, according to consultant Mike Boyd.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026