Airlines for America (A4A) recently applauded Congress for its omnibus bill that funds the federal government.
The bill also rejects the proposed doubling of the Passenger Facility Charge, which A4A feels is not necessary because record amounts of revenue already are being collected from airline passengers
Airports also are provided with an additional $1 billion for the $3.3 billion Airport Improvement Program in the legislation.
“This is a continuation of the promise Congress made to the American people three months ago when they passed historic tax cuts,” Nicholas E. Calio, A4A president and CEO, said. “We are particularly grateful to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), House Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), and House and Senate Authorizing Committee Chairmen Bill Shuster (R-PA) and John Thune (R-SD), for taking a stand to put passengers first by rejecting repeated calls from some in the airport community to saddle travelers with an unnecessary tax hike.”
The bill’s passage would prevent airlines from needing to display, market and sell products through third-party travel agents. These online agents are not required to have the same standards as airlines’ sites and also charge a commission.
The bill will continue to allow airlines to be competitive, Calio said.