The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) voiced its concerns regarding the recently released Department of Transportation…
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) voiced its concerns regarding the recently released Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) budgets, which the Association believes could significantly harm recovery in the business travel industry.
In addition, the lack of an established aviation security funding policy is now affecting the nation`s airport improvement programs.
The TSA recently estimated that it will need $6 billion to address many of the current flaws in the transportation security system. In order to accommodate TSA`s needs, passenger security fees would need to rise to $8 per flight segment, resulting in security fees of $32 on a round-trip flight with one connection each way.
Since taxes and fees already represent 26% of a fare, an additional security fee would have an impact on consumer purchasing decisions and major and low-cost carriers` ability to produce low fares.
Consumers have already demonstrated that high travel costs will reduce corporate and leisure travel, said NBTA Executive Director Bill Connors. These changes illustrate the dramatic effect of security on the nation`s aviation system and on the system`s ability to grow once there is a resumption of travel.
NBTA believes that Congress must establish and enforce a policy that aviation security funding is the responsibility of the federal government. It urges Congress to avoid placing additional security fees on the traveling public and to protect funds designated for airport improvements.
Without an efficient and low-cost aviation system for the nation`s business and leisure travelers, travel paralysis will continue to plague the already weakened economy.
Economic recovery is dependent on an affordable, efficient and safe aviation system, concluded Connors. In the end, Congress, the Administration, and the travel industry must work together to restore consumer confidence in this ailing industry.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
