GBTA: YES to TSA PreCheck™ Expansion - NO to Security Tax Increase

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, applauded today's announcement by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to offer a new application process which allows U.S. citizens to directly enroll in TSA PreCheck™, but opposed an increase in the aviation security tax paid by passengers.

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GBTA Executive Director and COO Michael W. McCormick issued the following statement:

"Without question, TSA PreCheck™ is a fast, efficient and secure passenger screening process that eliminates unnecessary airport hassles for busy business travelers. The new TSA PreCheck™ application process will allow even more passengers to enroll, reducing airport delays and facilitating day-to-day business travel that drives our economy."

"But TSA should use this opportunity to abandon its proposed security tax increase.  With today's focus on fiscal constraints and trimming the fat from agency budgets, TSA PreCheck™ expansion will allow TSA to reduce its staffing and equipment needs. That means TSA should be able to do more with less funding, particularly since the number of passengers and personnel screened annually has decreased by 74 million since 2006."

"Congress should reject another ticket tax increase – on top of the 20 percent tax burden on an average $300 roundtrip fare – which increases travel costs for U.S. businesses and decreases travel demand.  Another tax increase is not the answer; more efficient, less costly, risk-based screening programs and tighter fiscal controls are the answer. GBTA urges Congress to reject an increase in the aviation security taxes paid by passengers." 

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA's 6,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 21,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy. For more information, visit gbta.org.

SOURCE Global Business Travel Association

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