"Pittsburgh Airport considers increasing PFC"

Saturday, March 20, 2004

Airport Authority considers increasing boarding fee
The Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette


Raising the $3 fee paid by travelers boarding planes at Pittsburgh
International Airport by $1.50 is one option under consideration for
reducing the $640 million in debt at Pittsburgh International Airport,
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said yesterday.

However, he and county Airport Authority Executive Director Kent George
stressed that no decision had been made on whether to actually raise the
fee. Any increase would have to be approved by the Federal Aviation
Administration.

George said the authority still must consult with the airlines and its
own board before deciding whether to ask for an increase in the fee,
called a passenger facility charge. The airport is hoping to use revenue
from the fee to help reduce debt costs to airlines by as much as $25
million a year.

"[Raising the fee] is one of the things we have the option to do.
Everything is under consideration. But we have not made the decision to
go to $4.50," George said.


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