TSA fee on plane tickets more than doubles

A security fee that the government charges airline passengers more than doubled on Monday, from $2.50 to $5.60.

Lawmakers last year approved an increase in the fee, which is tacked onto the cost of airplane tickets, as part of a budget agreement.

{mosads}Additionally, passengers will be charged twice if they have a layover for a connecting flight that lasts longer than four hours. 

The aviation industry has criticized the fee hike because the money will not be used entirely for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). 

“Due to new @TSA fee hike, travelers will pay a billion dollars more per year in added taxes/fees thanks to U.S. [government],” Airlines for American President Nick Calio tweeted recently. 

Lawmakers had long looked to hike the aviation fees in previous budget negotiations, but didn’t pull the trigger until this year.

TSA officials have said the agency did not request the fee increase.