May said a system of user fees is the most equitable way to assess ATC charges. “The best proxy for use of the system itself is user fees,” he said. Five days earlier, at AOPA Expo in Tampa, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta said he didn’t favor user fees for general aviation. However, he didn’t define GA and that’s where he and May might find some common ground. May said he doesn’t believe non-business flights should be assessed the ATC fees his group is proposing. “Somewhere you have to draw the line,” he said, suggesting that personal use of aircraft would be exempt from the fees. May said that based on the number of aircraft in operation, fractional operator NetJets is actually the second-largest carrier in the U.S. He said ATA is unconcerned how the fees are collected, as long as they add up to a representative share of the cost of operating the system. AOPA has adamantly opposed user fees for GA aircraft and considers business aircraft to be under the GA umbrella.
…ATA: User Fees The Best Method…
Key Takeaways:
- The Air Transport Association (ATA) advocates for user fees as the most equitable way to fund Air Traffic Control (ATC), suggesting an exemption for personal, non-business flights.
- Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta expressed opposition to user fees for general aviation (GA), though his definition of GA was not specified, creating potential common ground with ATA's proposed exemptions.
- The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) adamantly opposes user fees for all GA aircraft, firmly including business aircraft under the GA umbrella.
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