Press Release
For Immediate Release
27 February 2009
ACTE Critical of White House Plans to Increase Airport Security Fees
Alexandria, Va --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is opposed to plans by the Obama administration to raise airport security fees by an undisclosed amount in 2012. Passengers currently pay $2.50 per each leg of travel, for a total of $5, which the White House claims only covers 36 percent of airport security costs. According to a statement released today by ACTE’s Executive Director Susan Gurley, the administration’s approach to funding airport security is disappointing on two levels.
“On the first level, the Obama administration is attempting to fund the lion’s share of airport security through a user tax, primarily paid by corporations commissioning business travel, or leisure travelers spending limited personal funds for a vacation. The truth is that air transportation is a national asset vital to the economy. When terrorists or other criminals target an airliner or an airport, they are not attacking an industry nor a user group – but the nation,” said Gurley. “As such, the nation has an obligation to protect itself and this asset. Airport security should be paid for from the general tax fund.
“On the second level, no one knows how long the current economic crisis will last. But I can assure you that many companies will either be just getting back on their feet, or attempting to make up for a year or two of lost financial ground. Slamming them with an undisclosed increase in business travel during this sensitive time is not in anyone’s best interest,” said Gurley. “Every increase in business travel charges results in another percentage of cancelled trips, which the country cannot afford. This is reflected in job loss at the airlines, hotels, rental car companies, and every travel service supplier.”
ACTE’s Executive Director says an increase of this type is coming at a time when companies are looking for every reason to cut business travel and reduce the number of corporate meetings. “The Obama administration just gave them one more reason,” said Gurley.
Gurley suggested that additional funds for airport security could be derived by scrapping a $400 million proposed allotment to build a new headquarters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plus $200 million to furnish it.
“This is a classic example of why the government has to work closer with the business travel profession in finding viable solutions to funding security and airport infrastructure programs,” added Gurley.
ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry. Our members serve more than 12 million business travellers worldwide. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org
Innovators to the Business Travel Management Profession
“The Most Widely Adopted Standards in the Industry”
Education • CSR • Traveler Safety/Data Privacy • Advocacy
# # #
For more information, contact:
Jack Riepe
Communications Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)
t: 610-719-8396
e: [email protected]
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com