ATA: IG Agrees Biz Av Underpaying

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) report on National Airspace System (NAS) usage concluded business jets (referred to as non-air carriers) are not fully paying for their proportional use of air traffic control (ATC) services and contribute to air traffic congestion at the busiest towers, according to the Air Transport Association
"An initial review of the report's findings confirms what commercial airlines have long been saying – that business jets are being subsidized by commercial airlines and their customers,” said Air Transport Association, which is pushing new user fees as part of the FAA reauthorization package to raise business aviation contributions despite the fact they would bring in less revenue. “Business jets are also significant contributors to air traffic congestion, especially in busy metropolitan areas." The Regional Airline Association opposes new user fees, saying they would put regional carriers $100 million in the red.
The report states that business jets have significant operations at the most active towers in the country. “More than half (53 percent) of non-air carrier operations occurred at the top third (162) most active towered airports,' and their unscheduled peak flight times coincide with commercial airlines' long scheduled peak times,” the report concluded. “For example, in the New York area, business jets were found to account, '...for 20 to 30 percent of the peak level of instrument approach operations at the New York TRACON.” For a complete analysis see the next issue of Regional Aviation News.