Air Passenger Body Calls for Security Levy: $1 per Ticket
An organization that represents airline passengers today called for a $1 levy on all air tickets to finance a $1-billion program to improve airline security and fight terrorism.
Geoffrey Lipman, secretary-general of the International Foundation for Airline Passengers, said such a fund would contribute toward research into more sophisticated security technology and improved training of airline staff, particularly in Third World countries.
He cited a survey by the foundation that showed that 80% of travelers questioned would support such a charge on tickets. The proposed fund would supplement existing security expenditures by governments and airlines, Lipman added.
Some U.S. airlines, such as Pan Am and Trans World Airlines, add $5 to the cost of a transatlantic ticket to cover security screening for international flights.
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