Gulf carriers escape tax hit in Senate bill
Gulf carriers have breathed a sigh of relief after the U.S. Senate ditched a provision which would have imposed a tax on some international airlines.
Introduced by Georgia senator Jonny Isakson, it was thought to be mostly targeting the big three Middle Eastern carriers and was roundly criticized by global aviation groups.
That led to threats of reciprocal action to tax US airlines around the world.
Groups including IATA, the U.S. Travel Association, and the U.S. Airlines for Open Skies, which comprised Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue and cargo airlines, were against the tax plan.
The US Travel Association welcomed its ditching from the tax overhaull.
"A half-baked measure that could’ve impacted both tax reform and travel was recklessly tossed on the Senate’s lap, and wisely disposed of," said U.S. Travel Association EVP Jonathan Grella in a statement.
The Isakson amendment would have added about $200 million in new tax revenue for the government.
"Foreign airlines should not receive preferential tax treatment if their countries choose not to open their markets to U.S. companies," Isakson previously said, adding that the provision would have helped ‘protect Georgia airline employees’ alluding to the home base of one of the ‘Big 3’ US carriers, Delta Air Lines.
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Suspension of all regional trains in Catalonia following two new rail accidents in Spain