ANN's Interview With Rep. Todd Tiahrt, Coming Monday

In the course of ANN's coverage of the user fee issue, we've reported on a number of entities and individuals weighing in on the ATA's position on user fees. Aero-News was recently able to speak, at length, with Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt (right) -- an outspoken opponent to user fees -- about the Air Transport Association's proposal.

"I think ATA is putting forth a proposal that would essentially be a cost shift from commercial carriers to private and business aircraft that I think is unnecessary, heavily bureaucratic, and not acceptable to Congress in general," Rep. Tiahrt tells ANN Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, adding the airlines are betting that user fees will help them solve ongoing financial issues created by the "leftover effect from 9/11."

Moreover, the proposal comes at a time when the FAA predicts that annual passenger loads will hit one billion passengers within a decade -- meaning the airlines should be looking at better times ahead, not worse.

"One way to grow revenue is to increase the economy, and air travel which would accompany that increase in the economy," Tiahrt says.

"The problem with using user fees as a means for new revenue is twofold," Tiahrt adds. "It creates new bureaucracy, and part of that increased revenue would be consumed by that bureaucratic mess... and the second part of that is user fees have a stifling effect on air travel for personal air travel, personal planes, and business jets."

You'll be able to hear all of ANN's chat with Congressman Tiahrt Monday, as our ANN Special Feature Aero-Cast. Be sure to check it out!

FMI: www.aero-news.net/podcasts