US bill threatens to slash airline bag fees to U$4.50 in FAA funding fight

Washington

AIRLINES would be allowed to charge passengers no more than US$4.50 to check a bag under a House bill introduced this week, slashing a fee that averages about US$25 at most US carriers.

The proposed cap in Representative John Mica's legislation isn't arbitrary. It matches the current passenger facility charge (PFC) assessed on an airline flight and introduces a new wrinkle in the congressional fight over reauthorising the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency's funding expires on Sept 30, and its reauthorisation is a perennial source of fierce Washington lobbying involving a wide array of travel interests.