passenger facility charges

Why sequester shouldn’t hurt airline travel — we pay user fees when we fly

by Charlie Leocha on March 6, 2013

Shouldn’t travelers be immune to the sequester? After all, our mandatory travel user fees associated with flying are not dropping. Why are we being threatened with cutbacks in services that we pay for every time we fly, go through security or re-enter the country?

{ 7 comments }

FAA Reauthorization — why you should care

by Charlie Leocha on February 18, 2011

Every few years, Congress looks carefully at the air transportation world. This is normally associated with its review of the Federal Aviation Administration and its funding. Unfortunately, Congress has not been able to agree on a new funding formula and other issues have kept the current FAA legislation from being passed for more than three years. The bill has been extended 17 times.

{ 5 comments }

What we’re reading: Avis Budget honored, airport grants may be cut, SFO is sexiest city

by Stephanus Surjaputra on February 11, 2011

Avis Budget honored for smoke-free cars, airport grants may be cut in new budget, SFO is sexiest city by Orbitz

{ 0 comments }

Too funny! Airline association claims passengers are not ATMs

by Charlie Leocha on May 22, 2009

I almost was escorted out of the House aviation subcommittee for laughing when John Meenan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Air Transport Association, went off the prepared statement and said, “Airports must resist treating air travelers as the equivalent of an ATM.”

{ 17 comments }

FAA reauthorization bill and airline chutzpah

by Charlie Leocha on February 17, 2009

One interesting note from the FAA reauthorization Subcommittee on Aviation hearings last week was the airlines’ response to and deep concern about possible increases in the FAA passenger facilities charge (PFC) proposed in the new legislation from $4.50 to $7 per segment. They don’t want taxes, but new fees are fine.

{ 2 comments }