Trouble ahead over small plane fees

"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...
On 10 Apr 2006 14:25:55 -0700, "AJ" wrote in
.com::

Essentially, the National Air Transportation Association representing
the airlines is seeking about $2 billion a year in federal tax relief.
To accomplish that, NATA wants general aviation - all aircraft except
commercial airliners and military - to take up the slack. That would
reduce the 7.5 percent "user fees" airline passengers pay.

The airlines and FAA are embarking on a divide and conquer mission.
Once the proposed precedent is established, it's going to be easier
for the government to move to a fee based ATC system for all flights.

If the airline passengers are paying the 7.5% ticket tax, please
explain how shifting that tax to GA is going to provide financial
relief to the airline industry. The airlines only collect the tax;
they don't pay it; the passengers do.

Will a 7.5% decrease in ticket prices make US airlines more
competitive globally? Domestically? Doubtful. And There is no doubt
shifting airline passengers' responsibility for ATC services and
airport improvements on to GA will have a large, and inequitable,
negative impact on GA.

There is the problem the 7.5% ticket tax. A movement costs the same whatever
the price of the ticket so the tax should be a flat rate charge. Then the
tax is not as ticket price dependent just dependent on their being a ticket.

Then you get the situation we have in the UK where I can buy a ticket from
Luton to Paris for $10 and the taxes come to $25. If I booked late and the
ticket price was $30 the taxes are still $25. If I bought the last ticket on
the plane and the ticket was now $200 the tax is still $25.

cb