Security Fee soon $ 5.50

The Bush administration’s plan to raise security fees on airline tickets to $5.50 according to US Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

An effort was made to balance the budget on the backs of the traveling public and small business people

Since the White House announced its plan to raise security on tickets from $2.50 to $5.50 for direct one way flights, there’s been a great number of protests.

TIA (Travel Industry Association of America) President & CEO Roger Dow, said at a press conference hosted by the Air Transport Association in Washington, D.C. to oppose the proposed fee.

“A doubling of the airline security tax will only discourage travelers from flying for business or pleasure,” Dow told the media. “This will also harm hotels, attractions, resorts, car rental firms and other travel industry companies and destinations that depend on these travelers for their economic livelihood.”

The proposed fee hike would mean a $1.5 billion tax increase for airline travelers.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse, however, said the fee increase offsets $400 million in federal security costs the administration is not asking airlines to reimburse.