Tue, Dec 10, 2013
Open Letter From The Airline Asks Public To Contact Congress
Southwest Airlines is enlisting the aid of its passengers to fight an increase in the TSA Passenger Security Tax from $2.50 to $5.00 in next year's budget.
In an open letter to passengers posted on the company website, the airline says that the Obama Administration has plans to triple the tax by 2017.
In the letter, Southwest Executive Vice President Don Ricks says that the U.S. airlines and their customers are already subject to 17 different federal taxes and fees, which totaled nearly $19 billion in 2012.
"TSA is already adequately funded," the letter states. "From FY 2007 to FY 2012, Congress increased the TSA budget 18 percent while the number of passengers screened dropped. Simply put, TSA does not need the money. TSA is screening about 11 percent fewer passengers today than it did in 2007. Additionally, the agency is getting more efficient in screening passengers, particularly with the expanding “PreCheck” expedited screening program. If more taxes are needed, it is time that Congress seeks money from other users and beneficiaries of the TSA’s services who currently pay nothing instead of just socking it (again) to the airline industry.
"Higher taxes drive up the cost of air travel for our Customers and dampen demand, which hurts all of us. Our trade organization, Airlines for America (A4A), and other industry partners have joined together to oppose these tax hikes and WE NEED YOUR HELP to ensure these taxes are not increased."
More News
Airport Rotating Beacon A visual NAVAID operated at many airports. At civil airports, alternating white and green flashes indicate the location of the airport. At military airports>[...]
Aero Linx: Fly for the Culture Fly For the Culture, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves young people interested in pursuing professions in the aviation industry>[...]
Klyde Is Having Some Issues Comprehending The Fed's Priorities FMI: www.klydemorris.com>[...]
Also: Viasat-uAvionix, UL94 Fuel Investigation, AF Materiel Command, NTSB Safety Alert Norges Luftsportforbund chose Aura Aero's little 2-seater in electric trim for their next gli>[...]
Also: EP Systems' Battery, Boeing SAF, Repeat TBM 960 Order, Japan Coast Guard H225 Buy Despite nearly 100 complaints totaling millions of dollars of potential fraud, combined with>[...]