Airports Council International – North American (ACI-NA) welcomed independent analysis calling for Congress to modernize the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) local user fee to spur much needed investment in aging airport infrastructure. The study, “U.S. Airport Infrastructure and Funding,” was released on Jan. 14, 2020, by the RAND Corporation in fulfillment of congressional-mandated research as part of the 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization act.
“With more than $100 billion in infrastructure needs through 2023, U.S. airports have made a very clear and compelling case about the need to invest in our aging infrastructure,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “This new independent research – conducted under congressional mandate – reaffirms our long held position that modernizing the locally set Passenger Facility Charge user fee remains the most cost effective and sustainable approach to solving the significant infrastructure challenges plaguing airports and their ability to serve their passengers, customers, and communities. Now stagnate at $4.50 for 20 years, updating the PFC is long overdue.
“This new study also rightly calls out the airlines who continue to shortchange airport infrastructure investment through their practice of separating bag fees and other ancillary charges from base airfares. This practice allows the airlines to pocket more profits off the backs of their passengers without paying their fair share into the Airport and Airways Trust Fund that funds essential aviation-related projects.”
