Airline industry group criticizes plan to divert aviation security funds

Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization of U.S. airlines, recently criticized a provision in the highway bill Congress approved that would divert money intended for aviation security to the highway trust fund.

The plan would divert approximately $9.2 billion that was originally collected for aviation security to be invested on transit, highways and bike paths instead.

The funds are usually paid by airline passengers to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

“Taking money that airline customers and others pay for customs and security and diverting it to pay for roads is highly inappropriate and a bait and switch on the already overtaxed traveling public,” A4A President and CEO Nicholas Calio said. “We applaud congressional leaders for passing a much needed long-term highway reauthorization bill, however asking airline customers to foot the bill for highways, bike paths or anything else unrelated to air travel is a bad idea that will make flying more expensive for the 2 million customers who travel on U.S. airlines every day.”