Low-performance airplanes, such as single-engine propeller-driven aircraft, fly at lower altitudes and tend to drive lower costs than jet aircraft.
A report by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) on Use of the National Airspace System (NAS) concludes what the Air Transport Association (ATA) has long said – that business jets are not fully paying for their proportional use of ATC services and contribute significantly to air traffic congestion at the busiest towers – known as terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities.
Under the current system, commercial aviation accounts for approximately 70 percent of FAA costs to provide ATC services, yet airlines and their passengers subsidize luxury jets, by paying 90 percent of the costs. The number of corporate aircraft in service has risen sharply, with more than 10,000 additional corporate jets expected to enter service in the next 10 years. Current air-travel demand, congested airspace and outdated technology are causing delays that are overwhelming the system and costing passengers billions of dollars each year. Since corporate jets utilize the same airspace and air traffic control services, the air transportation system as a whole will be affected, constraining our economic growth.
The passenger in seat 28B should not have to subsidize business jet travel. Today’s ATC funding system is unfair.