A bipartisan federal budget deal that calls for an increased
airline security fee paid by air travelers on Wednesday passed the U.S. Senate.
Following House passage last week, the legislation awaits President Barack Obama's
expected signature.
Co-authored by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Paul
Ryan (R-Wis.), the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 will hike the aviation
security fee, which in part funds the Transportation Security Administration,
to $5.60 per one-way trip from the current $2.50 per segment (now capped at $5
each way). The new fee is scheduled to take effect in July 2014.
The budget summary noted that "another portion of TSA
fees is paid by airlines," but that would be discontinued in the fiscal
year beginning Oct. 1, 2014, according to the House bill.
Under the current fee structure, about 30 percent of TSA's
airline security costs are covered, according to the bill summary. The budget
agreement would raise that to 43 percent, saving the federal government an
estimated "$12.6 billion over ten years," but at the expense of air
passengers.
Such groups as Airlines For America and the Global Business
Travel Association oppose the fee change, arguing that travelers should not shoulder
the added burden.
A4A estimated the increase annually would cost air
passengers $730 million.