Obama's debatable flight ticket surcharge proposal welcomed by airport officials

The contradictory proposal by Obama administration, to increase federal surcharge for refining the condition of airports, will cost $5.00 extra for a round trip ticket taken for a direct flight, anyplace in the U.S.

The plan of Obama is to raise the passenger facility charge, by $2.50 each way. This money is included in Obama’s projected $3.7 trillion budget, for fiscal 2012.

It is also informed that after reducing the taxpayer-funded grant program, from $3.5 billion to $2.4 billion from the budget, the burden of expensive airport improvements will swing from general public to the fliers.

The miscellaneous reactions to the proposal
Though some airport officials have greeted the proposed shift; it’s opposed by airlines and passengers.

The proposal also said that rise in the surcharge amount will not be included in House or Senate versions, of a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill.

The plan to raise the surcharge amount is mainly because of the continuous climb in ticket prices, by the airlines.

Commenting on the scenario, David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association said, "We’re certainly opposed to the increase in the passenger facility charge.”

He further added, "It’s certainly going to raise the cost of flying, especially in light of the recent fare increases."

But Christopher Ward, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey welcomed the proposal and said that raising the passenger surcharge from $4.50 to $7, each way would help a lot in improving the condition of the airports.

Proposal strongly opposed by Air Transport Association
Ward greeted the planned raise and supported the proposal by calling it, "an essential step to making certain we can continue to invest in critical airport improvements that will increase safety and decrease delays."

He further added, "The president’s proposal shifts the cost for these airport improvements from the taxpayer to those who use our airports.”

However, transferring the burden of grants on the passenger’s charge is strongly opposed by the Air Transport Association, which is an airline industry group.

Jean Medina, a spokeswoman for the group said, "We believe our passengers are already overburdened. A typical $300 domestic round-trip ticket includes some $60 in taxes and fees."

Apart from collecting extra money from fliers, the president has also proposed to reduce taxpayer-funded grants.

Those opposing this proposal are of the view that it overlooks the doles, airports offer to the nearby regions.