Airline lobby launches campaign to ‘Stop Air Tax Now’

{mosads}The message of the campaign echoes what ATA President Nicholas Calio said in remarks from a speech in a recent speech to the International Aviation Club of Washington.

“Airlines are the physical Internet, connecting people, products and the world, driving the global economy and creating millions of jobs,” Calio said in his speech last week. “To further burden this already financially challenged industry is both illogical and a job destroyer. The results will be devastating to the U.S. economy.”

Obama has called for a per-takeoff fee on flights that could run as high as $100 as part of the deficit-reduction suggestions he made recently to the  supercommittee of lawmakers that is looking to cut $1.5 trillion or more from the federal deficit.

The president’s plan also includes an $7.50 increase in the security taxes passengers each way of their trips.