HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
OP EDITORIAL
Hidden Tax Increases on Airline Tickets Won’t Fly By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
W
commodate increased passenger travel,
away, most lawmakers will likely make
hy is it that poor people
proponents of increasing the passenger
the safe calculation and reject any pro-
are always asked to pay
fee have been a little misleading about
posed hike presented on the floor for
more in America? Last
the condition of the nation’s airports.
a vote, lest they stir a voter backlash.
year, I warned about the possibility that
In reality, airports are undergoing
Yet it should be worrisome that House
Congress might try to impose a new
something of a revitalization, particu-
Democratic leaders appear willing to
tax on air travelers. Well, it’s 2020 -
larly when compared to rail or highway
put a fee hike on the table for consid-
and here we go again.
travel. Passengers are traveling at re-
eration.
Even in the midst of a historic imnever heard of the PFC, now capped
time highs, and infrastructure upgrades
trial balloon released in an attempt to
conflict abroad, lawmakers on Capitol
at about $4.50 per person for each
are booming across the nation.
test whether rank-and-file lawmakers
Hill have managed to find time to dust
leg of a flight. But working families
Just take a look at the balance
have the stomach for taking up such a
off their plan to soak air travelers, in-
across the country, including our read-
sheets of our nation’s airports. U. S.
measure in an election year. But even
cluding working people who struggle
ers, may soon feel the impact if some
airports have over $16 Billion of un-
if it is just that, there’s still reason for
everyday just to make ends meet.
members of Congress have their way.
restricted cash and investments on
concern, given that even unpopular
Make no mistake about it: this is
Here is how the fee works. Pas-
hand, with $7 billion sitting in the
ideas have a way of gaining sudden
a tax hike, even though backers of this
sengers are charged the fee at the ticket
aviation trust fund. And, in the last de-
momentum in the topsy-turvy politics
plan won’t call it a tax hike, for obvious
counter, allowing the airport that col-
cade, more than $165 Billion in federal
of Congress.
reasons. And it’s one that hits relatively
lects it to keep it for local repairs and
aid has been directed to airports for im-
Air travel remains one of the most
low-wage workers harder than it hits
renovations. Current proposals in Con-
provement projects at America’s larg-
popular and necessary forms of trans-
those who make a lot more money.
gress include one to nearly double the
est 30 airports alone.
portation because it is relatively safe
And it hits those who routinely fly for
fee to $8.50 per person for each leg of
Some of these projects have been
and convenient. But it should not be-
business especially hard too.
a flight. Another possibility is eliminat-
completed. Others are currently un-
come more expensive because a hidden
ing the cap entirely, thereby allowing
derway. And some have received ap-
tax that few people expected is added.
airports to charge whatever they like.
proval to move forward in the coming
Congress should not put air travel
are expected to unveil their broad in-
Harlem Community Newspapers | February 6. 2020
It could be nothing more than a
peachment trial and potential military
This week, Democratic leaders
6
cord rates, airport revenues are at all-
frastructure agenda for the coming year
If the fee is raised to $8.50, a
months. For example, Los Angeles
out of the reach of American families
- a plan that is sorely needed given our
family of four on a trip with a con-
International Airport and New York’s
who are still trying to get out of pov-
aging highways, railways and other
necting flight would pay nearly $150
John F. Kennedy Airport are both un-
erty. Thus, increasing taxes on airline
transportation needs.
in this tax alone - a tax that is layered
dergoing multi-billion-dollar up-
tickets won’t fly for Black Americans
But here is what is galling: sources
on top of the price of the ticket itself,
grades. Smaller facilities like the Long
and won’t fly for all others who believe
tell me that buried in the broad array of
a major reason people don’t notice it.
Island
in economic fairness and equality of
transportation initiatives is a proposal
Such a substantial increase could be
the Shawnee Regional Airport are also
to raise the so-called Passenger Facili-
the deciding factor between that fam-
upgrading their terminals and runways.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is Pres-
ty Charge (PFC), a hidden fee on air-
ily taking a much-deserved vacation or
The bottom line, then, is that there
ident and CEO of the National News-
line travelers that Congress enacted
staying home.
is no substantive basis for a fee hike.
paper Publishers Association (NNPA)
And it makes even less sense politi-
representing the Black Press of Amer-
cally.
ica. He can be reached at dr.bchavis@
long ago to help pay for renovation
While most people agree that it
projects at airports around the country.
is in the public’s best interest to have
Most Americans have probably
safe and efficient airports that can ac-
MacArthur
Airport and
With Election Day just months
opportunity.
nnpa.org.
Vol. 25, No 6 February 6, 2020
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