As much as travelers value cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, most argue that flying safely and securely has to be prioritized.
A proposal to double the security fee paid by airline passengers is circulating Congress. Such a move would raise a minimum of $15 billion over the next decade. Currently the maximum security fee added on commercial flights is $10 per round trip ticket.
In the past both President Obama and former President Bush have proposed increasing passenger air security fees. Lawmakers must approve any increase and have balked when asked to do so.
Airline security fees were imposed after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to fund the creation of government run airport passenger and bag screening. Since then these fees have never increased.
Passenger air security fees cover less than 40 percent of Homeland Security Departments cost of aviation security oversight, including the screening of passengers and bags for weapons and bombs at U.S. airports. The remaining cost is paid via general congressional appropriations.
Presently ticket taxes and fees make up approximately 20 percent of a $300 round trip ticket.
Airlines argue that any security fee hike could negatively impact air travel demand. It is believed such an increase would disproportionately impact low fare airlines which primarily fly leisure passengers who are particularly sensitive to any increases in the cost of tickets.
Airlines view aviation security costs as a national security issue that should be paid by the government. They also are lobbying lawmakers to understand the impact that higher fees could have on the airlines fragile recovery.
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