Trade Organizational Critical Of DOT Opposition To Transparent Airfares Act

Industry trade organization Airlines for America (A4A) is calling the U.S. DOT's opposition to the Transparent Airfares Act currently being debated in Washington a "disingenuous" move on the part of bureaucrats.

"Airline travelers across the country should find it alarming that DOT would actively oppose bipartisan efforts in Congress designed to engage and inform consumers about just how much of their airfare purchase consists of government-imposed taxes and fees," the trade group said in a statement released to the media.

“The Transparent Airfares Act was voted unanimously out of committee by lawmakers from both parties, which is a rarity in today’s Congress. At the heart of the bipartisan support for this legislation is the principle, jointly shared by Republicans and Democrats alike, that consumers deserve to clearly know just how much they are paying in federally imposed taxes and fees every time they purchase a ticket.

"It’s disingenuous for bureaucrats in Washington to try and shield blame for taxes on the air travel of American citizens – particularly when the Administration’s own budget calls for an additional $4.2 billion in taxes on airline customers. Burying these significant charges from the customers who pay them is irresponsible public policy and only incentivizes these same bureaucrats to continue driving up the cost for air travel through arbitrary tax hikes.

"Rather than stand in the way of the transparency airline customers deserve, the Administration should join Congress and take steps to lower costs for consumers while also rising to the level of transparency it demands of others.”

FMI: www.airlines.org