Groups push back against U.S. Travel Association attempt to increase ticket fees

Airlines for America has teamed up with two groups representing airports and business travelers to oppose a U.S. Travel Association-backed proposal to raise ticket fees used to pay for airport improvements.

At issue is the Passenger Facility Charge, a $4.50 fee added to the price of every airline ticket to generate money for various commercial airport projects. U.S. Travel has proposed raising the fee by $4, and on Wednesday released a new poll finding a majority of travelers would be willing to pay the extra money if it meant making air travel less of a hassle.

"Because travel consumers are very astute, we're not at all surprised to learn that they are willing to pay for something that provides them with a tangible benefit," U.S. Travel CEO Roger Dow said. http://bit.ly/1E4sI8Y

A4A argues raising the tax is not needed and would only discourage people from traveling. The association issued a joint statement with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and Global Business Travel Association opposing the proposal, timing their comments to coincide with a U.S. Travel fly-in in Washington, D.C.

"Since 2008, more than $70 billion of airport capital projects have been completed, are underway or are approved by U.S. airlines and their airport partners at the nation's largest 30 airports alone, and development is also robust at smaller airports, including Dayton, Sioux Falls and Greenville-Spartanburg," said Sharon Pinkerton, A4A's senior vice president for legislative and regulatory policy. "Airports have plenty of resources and passengers are already taxed enough."

A4A also has established a website—www.stopairtaxnow.com—to oppose higher fees.http://bit.ly/1HMVXv5