Federal Budget Doesn't Include Aviation User Fees

Unlike a year-old proposal that would have replaced some aviation excise taxes with direct user charges next year, the Obama Administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 does not include new user fees for general aviation. "When it comes to the long-standing battle over user fees, it appears that we have reached an important and welcome milestone," commented National Business Aviation Association president and CEO Ed Bolen (shown in photo). General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce, meanwhile, praised what he called the Administration's "common-sense decision" not to propose user fees. "A burdensome user-fee system faced widespread opposition in Congress and universal opposition from general aviation," he added.