US: Airlines, airports at odds over fee hike before Congress

Airlines are warning that passengers could be charged $2.2b more each year to pay for airport construction, under a proposed fee hike Congress is considering. But airports contend more funding is needed to modernize and expand terminals and other facilities for the growing number of passengers. The aviation partners have been feuding for years over the fees, called passenger facility charges, which are collected as part of each ticket price. Congress capped the fees in 2000 at $4.50 per ticket. Airports contend the cap should rise to $8.50, just to keep pace with inflation. Congress, which has been divided over a possible hike, is expected to make a decision soon. The key Senate Appropriations Committee agreed in July to raise the cap $4 for the first leg of each flight. But House counterparts left the fee unchanged. A decision is expected as part of the massive spending bill Congress must approve by Dec. 8 to fund the government.<br/>