Todd Hauptli
The future of a local airport user fee known as the passenger facility charge (PFC) that funds critical airport upgrades has long been the subject of fierce debate between U.S. airlines and airports, and it’s back on the table as part of the infrastructure framework and principles outlined by House Democrats this week.
The disagreement between airlines and airports isn’t surprising given the different imperatives each has when it comes to infrastructure investment. The airlines must be responsive to their shareholders and operate with an eye on the upcoming quarterly financial report. Individual airlines want to control where airport investments are made to serve their interests and their customers rather than their competitor’s interests and customers.
