Large airlines want small carriers to pay fair share

America West Airlines and other large carriers want landing fees and other user fees imposed on corporate jets and smaller general aviation operations.

Those smaller flyers pay airline fuel taxes but are not burdened with the myriad of fees and taxes levied on commercial airlines.

Tempe-based America West and other large airlines argue they are shouldering too much of the burden of federal taxes and security and airport fees. They want more of those costs placed on general aviation operators, especially when they are landing and taking off from the same airports.

General aviation advocates and smaller charter plane operators worry that user fees and new airport landing charges would crush their industry.

New user fees would impact corporate and charter jets landing at larger airports such as Phoenix Sky Harbor International and also could be levied on those using smaller airfields such as Scottsdale and Deer Valley airports and Falcon Field in Mesa.

America West Vice President C.A. Howlett said corporate charter jets, in particular, should pay their fair share for landing at larger airports also used by commercial carriers.

"The real issue is that the commercial aviation industry is grossly over-taxed when you combine the taxes and fees we pay," said Howlett.

Commercial carriers point to an $11.2 billion federal airport trust fund, which helps bankroll airport infrastructure throughout the country, and the fact that 93 percent of its funding comes from commercial airline taxes and fees.

Only 2 percent of that Federal Aviation Administration Fund comes from general aviation operations.

"We are disproportionately taxed for our contribution to the system," Howlett said.

Presently, general aviation, charter and corporate jets contribute to airport funding via fuel taxes while larger airlines pay a number of industry taxes and fees including several for post 9/11 security programs.

The "Davids" in this David versus Goliath industry battle counter that user fees would hit general aviation and charter jet operators hard at a time when they already face the challenges of skyrocketing fuel costs.

"It would kill general aviation," said John Klimut, a flight instructor for Falcon Executive Aviation in Mesa.

Klimut and general aviation advocates contend that the fees have stifled smaller plane operations in other countries where they have been imposed and would create huge financial barriers to flying.

Source: Mike Sunnucks
The Business Journal