GBTA Joins Opposition to Proposed Airport Tax Hike

Strong Majority of Travel Buyers Oppose Increase

Alexandria, VA (March 25, 2015) – The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) today joined several traveler groups in support of Airlines for America’s (A4A) opposition to the proposed near doubling of the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) – or Airport Tax. The following statement can be attributed to Michael W. McCormick, GBTA Executive Director and COO.

“Some groups want to increase the PFC to $8 per boarding. That, along with other taxes and fees, means that a business traveler could see an increase of $58.20 for a round trip ticket. Travelers don’t need to be the piggy bank. Beyond the investments made by airlines, airports have more than $11 billion in unrestricted cash and investments while bringing in more revenue every year – a record-high $24.5 billion in 2013. In addition, two-thirds of GBTA members surveyed have said they oppose a PFC increase.

Road warriors strengthen the economy, create jobs and drive economic security. Travel should be promoted. The business traveler already faces an overbearing burden from taxes and fees and GBTA is very concerned that they are approaching the tipping point that will ultimately push business travelers to stay at home.”

CONTACT:
Colleen Lerro Gallagher, +1 703 236 1133, cgallagher@gbta.org
Gayle Kansagor, +1 202 295 8775, gayle.kansagor@harbourgrp.com

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, gbta.org