El Paso Airport seeking to raise passenger fee

March 5, 2010

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Mar. 5--EL PASO -- The El Paso airport wants to raise the $3 passenger fee airline travelers pay on their plane tickets.

The fee would increase to $4.50 under a proposal the airport will soon forward to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval.

Monica Lombrana, the airport's director of aviation, said most airports have already moved to the $4.50 fee.

The airport collects about $4 million a year from the fee, and uses the money for airport improvements, she said.

The increase is needed because of declines in passenger traffic, Lombrana said.

The airport is accepting public comments on the proposal. They may be mailed to Lombrana, El Paso airport, 6701 Convair Road, El Paso, TX 79925.