Tripso Post: After years of airline subsidies, how about a payback for taxpayers?
August 5, 2008 · Print This Article
Steve Surjaputra at Tripso wrote about the airline subsidies report released by the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and Working Partnerships USA. Here are some of what he highlighted from the report:
From the first days of flight up until the 1970s, taxpayers, through the federal government, provided more than $155 billion in direct support for the aviation industry. Even after deregulation, federal and local governments have continued to provide infrastructure support, tax exemptions and low-cost financing….
Since 2002, in California alone, the airlines received approximately $487 million in state and local subsidies that included tax exemptions and low-interest bond financing. For example, the airlines are exempt from state sales taxes on jet fuel purchases for some flights. This exemption for international flights will cost the state and local governments more than $800 million from fiscal year 2005 to 2009. Despite this, the airlines still want to expand the exemption for out-of-state domestic flights.
Click HERE to read his post, “After years of airline subsidies, how about a payback for taxpayers?”
I called today American Airlines lost baggage claim department. So much for customer service! The lady was so rude that I couldn’t believe it! I called in for a lost bag for my parents and she didn’t want to help me. Finally she found the bag in a different airport and it will get delivered. I understand that mistakes can happen and I am a easy going person, but the rudeness is what really upset me! I will not ever check a bag with American.