The government’s new passenger security surcharge goes into effect Friday, which will effectively raise ticket prices.
Intended to pay for enhanced security at airports and aboard passenger jets, the surcharge could add as much as $10 to the cost of a ticket.
The federal government already collects a 7.5 percent excise tax on each ticket. It also collects another $6 in flight segment taxes on each ticket. On top of that, airports impose a passenger facility charge that can add as much as $9 to the price of a ticket.
As a result of the taxes and charges, a $250 ticket would be boosted by as much as $43.75, or 17.5 percent, to $293.75.
The tab is even stiffer on international flights. In addition to the domestic fees, the feds impose a departure and arrival tax of $26.40, on top of various fees for immigration and inspections totaling $15.10.
Quicker check-ins: It appears that the nation’s airlines are getting a better handle on the length of time it takes to process passengers through security checkpoints.
American Airlines this week announced that its customers need to get to the airport 90 minutes before a flight if bags are going to be checked, rather than the previous 2 to 2 1/2 hours that had been required.
The Ft. Worth-based carrier joins Northwest and United Airlines in reducing the time that travelers have been forced to twiddle their thumbs waiting to clear security checkpoints and then for their flight.
It’s even better for passengers without luggage to check in.
“If you only have carry-ons, plan to arrive 60 minutes before departure,” said Mike Gunn, American’s executive vice president of marketing and planning.
Among the largest carriers, only Delta Air Lines requires customers to arrive two or more hours before a flight.
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Midway to the world: Chicago’s Midway Airport becomes Midway International Airport on Feb. 16, when American Trans Air launches international service to the Caribbean and Mexico.
The airline says it will offer weekly flights to Cancun, Grand Cayman and Aruba. But people traveling to those destinations on Feb. 16 won’t be able to return until Feb. 23.
That’s when the new U.S. Customs Service Federal Inspection Service facility at Midway is supposed to be ready.
ATA will add daily flights to Cancun beginning March 4, said Angela Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Indianapolis-based airline. That is also the date the airline will launch six-times-per-week service to Guadalajara, Mexico, she said.
ATA also is receiving rave reviews of a pseudo-frequent-flier program introduced in January.
The program, which Thomas said is more a reward program than a frequent-flier program, offers travelers a free flight for every three flights booked.
Under the program, people must purchase their three tickets on the airline’s Web site–www.ATA.com–by June 30. Travel on the three tickets must be concluded by July 31. Travelers will receive a round-trip pass to any U.S. or Puerto Rico destination. Six round trips earn a round trip to any destination in the airline’s system.
Delta flight attendants voting: Flight attendants for Delta Air Lines are expected to reject a four-year unionization drive led by the Association of Flight Attendants. The National Mediation Board is expected to announce the results Friday.
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