Cargo as well as passenger airline members of the Air Transport Association all backed the principle that the United States should shift to user fees to pay the costs of operating the air traffic network.

ATA President James May told reporters March 8 that ATA was offering the proposal to help shape the debate over future airspace system funding and operations, as Congress prepares to reauthorize multi-year funding of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Basing fees on actual use of the air traffic system would shift more of its future funding to business and general aviation users, ATA said, and away from the commercial airlines that now pay for more of the system than they actually use.

ATA also said users of the air traffic network should get a formal voice in helping the FAA choose new operating technologies and setting fees.

May said he expected the debate on how to modernize and fund the system to start this year, but said he hoped Congress would avoid having to extend current law beyond its expiration on Sept. 30, 2007.

John D. Boyd