Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would ensure revenue collected through the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee (PSF) is invested in aviation and airport security.
The Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety (SAFEGUARDS) Act would allocate $250 million annually in PSF revenue for checkpoint technology improvements such as exit lanes and $500 million annually
for checked bag explosive detection systems.
Airline passengers pay $5.60 per each one-way ticket to fund aviation security, but more than $13 billion of the collected fees have been diverted to nonsecurity uses since 2014. The bill would end any diversion.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation chairman, and U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), John Boozman (R-AK) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the bill.
“This legislation ensures that resources meant to modernize our airports and keep Americans safe at every checkpoint are used as intended,” Bennet said.
The bill has the support of the Airports Council International – North America, Airlines for America, the American Association of Airport Executives, Manhattan Regional Airport, Smiths Detection, Southwest Airlines, Travelers United, the U.S. Travel Association, and the Wichita Airport Authority.
On a daily basis, the Transportation Security Administration screens millions of passengers and their luggage.