Airlines Get Tax Relief as FAA Unions Urge Action on FAA Furloughs

First This:

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today, approximately 4,000 employees at the FAA represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), were prevented from reporting to work and are now faced with an indefinite furlough and the uncertainties that come with sudden job loss.

“AFSCME, NATCA and PASS are deeply concerned about the long-term impact to the men and women who will be unable to earn a living because they are caught in the middle of a congressional battle. Last week, we asked lawmakers to secure swift passage of a clean extension of FAA programs to ensure that FAA employees can continue to provide important services and functions to the agency and prevent delays in FAA modernization projects and initiatives. Today, we reemphasize the need for Congress to pass a clean extension that will get men and women back to work to provide for their families. We also urge Congress to work to pass a full FAA reauthorization bill that will move our National Airspace System forward.”

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), represent over 30,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees.

SOURCE National Air Traffic Controllers Association, via PRNewswire-USNewswire.

Now This:

FAA Shutdown Results in Mini-Bonanza for Airlines

The failure to reach a deal has resulted in a mini-bonanza for airlines.

With the FAA no longer authorized to collected the 7.5 percent federal excise tax usually levied on each ticket, or the $3.70 tax applied to each flight segment, many airlines have simply pocketed those proceeds.

Analysts said the airline industry could benefit by $25 million each day that FAA reauthorization is not granted.