Tag Archives: Aviation/Space

Where Do Your Air Fare Taxes and Fees Really Go?

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“In July, when a hike in the security fee takes effect, the typical $300 domestic airline ticket will include $63 in ticket taxes and other government levies. That’s effectively 26 percent of the base fare of $237.40. You not only get dinged by the 7.5 percent federal ticket tax, but a ‘flight segment tax,’ an airport passenger charge and the aforementioned security fee. In its budget, the White House is proposing even more tax hikes on your ticket. And for international travel it’s even more confusing, with a mess of charges like ‘user fees’ for Customs and immigration.  That means flying is getting close to sin tax territory— with punitive levies partly aimed at discouraging consumption.”

http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-05-15/where-your-air-fare-taxes-and-fees-really-go

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New FAA ruling effectively bans ridesharing for planes

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“A recent FAA ruling has left Uber of air travel-hopeful AirPooler and other startups like it in a legal bind. The agency yesterday stated that private pilots who don’t hold a special government-issued certificate are banned from publicly offering seats on their planes for a fee.  The ruling is meant to keep consumers safe from flying with unseasoned pilots, but it also makes it more expensive for pilots to fly while also making it harder for planesharing companies to do business.  The ruling is meant to clarify a 1963 proposal that allows for pilots to privately ask passengers to split travel expenses like the cost of fuel. Up until now, pilots could seek out passengers for trips.”

http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/16/6009055/new-faa-ruling-effectively-bans-ridesharing-for-planes

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Aeroflot sees obstacles to low-cost Russian air travel lifted soon

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“Laws preventing airlines from charging for food and baggage – the last obstacles standing in the way of significantly cheaper airfares in Russia – will be lifted soon, the country’s largest carrier Aeroflot predicted on Sunday.  The Russian government has already revoked laws prohibiting the sale of non-refundable tickets and employment of foreign pilots since the state-carrier announced plans to launch low-cost airline Dobrolet last year, chief executive Vitaly Saveliev said.  But allowing Russia’s new budget airline to charge for food and baggage would result in ticket prices up to 40 percent cheaper than Aeroflot’s traditional economy class service.”

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/aeroflot-sees-obstacles-low-cost-russian-air-travel-173250962–finance.html

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American Airlines cuts Venezuela flights after Maduro threat

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“American Airlines says it is cutting almost 80% of its flights to Venezuela from next month.  Tight foreign currency controls make it difficult for foreign airlines to repatriate money from ticket sales in Venezuela.  The authorities have restricted access to dollars and want to make them more expensive to purchase, which may lead to losses for companies that are still waiting for cash from as far back as 2012.  In January, Ecuadorean airline Tame also suspended flights to Venezuela, demanding $43m (£26m) in overdue payments for tickets.  President Nicolas Maduro said at the time that airlines that reduced their operations in Venezuela would face ‘severe measures’.”

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27895233

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Venezuela’s airport ‘breathing’ tax

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“The biggest international airport in Venezuela is charging a fee for the right to inhale clean air – and social media users are not happy.  We’re used to a seemingly endless range of taxes and surcharges when we fly – passenger taxes, departure taxes, fuel levies. But Maiquetia International Airport in Caracas has taken this a step further – passengers flying out now have to pay 127 bolivars tax (£12; $20) for the air they breathe.  This is to cover the cost of a newly-installed system which uses ozone to purify the building’s air conditioning system.  Some Venezuelans on social media fear the tax could end up being a new source of corruption. Others see it as evidence of how short of cash the airport is.”

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-28227198

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AirPooler Could Be the Uber of Flying

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“Given the state of the airline industry—the cost of flying is creeping up every year while the experience of flying gets worse—it’s no surprise that someone figured out how to take the ride-sharing business model from cars and adapt it to planes.  Prices are far from prohibitive. Right now, the service lists a round-trip flight from Palo Alto, California to Sacramento this weekend for under $180. A comparable economy ticket from United Airlines with such short notice is over $800.  Part of the reason tickets are so cheap is because the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits private pilots from accepting personal payment.”

http://reason.com/blog/2014/04/08/airpooler-could-be-the-uber-of-flying

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Airlines Change the Carry on Rules

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“What I didn’t realize, because it’s never become an issue, is that American (as well as Delta and United) have fairly new carry on bag limits, including a 14-inch maximum width, and my Rimowa is 15 inches wide, as are many carry ons. Even though it’s an inch shorter than the 22-inch length limit, and an inch shorter than the official 9-inch depth limit, back to check in I went. And the line was so long, I almost missed my flight. I was then told that this is a new ‘FAA regulation’ but I doubt that’s true, since some airlines still have more generous allowances.  And these size limits are fairly recent policies. In fact, United made the change on March 2, 2014.”

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/18811748/airlines-change-the-carry-on-rules/

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The Airlines Work for Uncle Sam

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“Bryan Riley, writing for The Daily Signal, tells us that the government’s cash register rings every time we step on a plane. According to Airlines for America, $61.49 of a $300 domestic round-trip ticket goes to federal government taxes. That’s almost as much as fuel ($63.47) and more than labor ($51.52). Other expenses total $123.11, leaving 41 cents for profits.  That’s right: Uncle Sam takes 20% off the top, while only 0.1% drops to the bottom line. And by the way, that doesn’t include taxes on payroll or jet fuel.  What’s worse than a government picking your pocket? Two governments picking your pocket, as they do for international flights.”

http://www.caseyresearch.com/articles/the-airlines-work-for-uncle-sam

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US bans uncharged cell phones, laptops from some flights

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“If you’re flying into the US from certain countries, you may discover that getting through security will become even more time-consuming and stressful.  The US Transportation Security Administration revealed on Sunday that enhanced security procedures on flights coming to the US now include not allowing uncharged cell phones and other devices onto planes.  There is no official list of which airports are affected.  The TSA statement said: ‘During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted on board the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening.'”

http://www.cnet.com/news/us-bans-uncharged-cell-phones-from-some-flights/

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Violinists Barred from Flight Based On Airline’s Made-up ‘FAA Rule’

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“As they climbed the stairway to the US Airways Express commuter jet, a flight attendant reportedly handed them a blue slip stating that the FAA prohibits musical instruments on the plane, ‘which was stunning because we’re frequent fliers,’ he said.  When told that their violins would have to be checked, the musicians protested, which prompted a phone call to an airport ‘conflict resolution officer.’  While waiting, a frustrated Kendall said he learned from a colleague about a 2012 Federal law stating that passengers may carry a violin or other small instrument in the aircraft cabin provided there is space. They obtained copies of the law and presented it as they boarded their rescheduled flight.”

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/violinists-ejected-flight-perform-bach-tarmac/

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