Good Plan, Bad Approach

So why would an airline industry group be reacting to a recently passed US Congressional Highway Bill?

Well the answer is that it seems that the new highway legislation has a provision in it that diverts funds that airline passengers pay the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for security in order to replenish the highway trust fund. And it’s been approved by the U.S. Congress.

So it should come as no surprise that Airlines For America (A4A, for short) has soundly denounced the plan.

A4A president and CEO, Nicholas E. Calio said bluntly: “Taking money that airline customers and others pay for customs and security and diverting it to pay for roads is highly inappropriate and a bait and switch on the already overtaxed traveling public.”

Calio goes on to say that: “We applaud Congressional leaders for passing a much needed long-term highway re-authorization bill, however asking airline customers to foot the bill for highways, bike paths or anything else unrelated to air travel is a bad idea that will make flying more expensive for the 2 million customers who travel on U.S. airlines every day.”

Each year, commercial aviation helps drive nearly $1.5 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 11 million U.S. jobs.

Airlines for America (A4A) vigorously advocates on behalf of the American airline industry as a model of safety, customer service and environmental responsibility and as the indispensable network that drives our nation’s economy and global competitiveness.

Go to http://www.airlines.org for more.