Both Sides Declare Victory In Ongoing Battle

A group of 22 US airlines have been in a fight with the Transportation Ssecurity Administration, arguing that about a quarter of the security fees they've paid since 9/11 to conduct airport screenings were unjustified.

The disputed charges amount to about $100 million dollars each year since 2005. As ANN reported, the TSA forced the issue in June 2007, telling the airlines to expect bills in the mail for balances still owed in the agency.

That was then... and on Monday, the Chicago Tribune reported a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington dismissed most of challenge brought forth by the airlines.

One complaint did stick, though -- that TSA has been improperly charging the airlines for the screening of non-passengers. The judges have ordered TSA to recalculate the disputed charges.

Both sides are spinning the decision as a win. David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, said airlines "are pleased that [the decision] recognized that the Transportation Security Administration overcharged the airlines and that those fees must be reduced."

TSA called the ruling "another positive step in resolving this ongoing dispute."

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.airlines.org