A proposal pending in Congress could double an existing tax on airline tickets -- and critics say it would disproportionately harm passengers who fly out of Rochester and other smaller or midsize airports.
The Passenger Facility Charge is built into every airline ticket to fund airport improvements. The fee is currently capped at $4.50 per passenger, but the cap could rise to $8.50.
The fee is added to every flight, which means travelers who first must fly to a hub to get to their eventual destination pay more than others.
Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program - Airports
Guidance for the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program, which allows airports to collect fees up to $4.50 for every enplaned passenger at commercial airports controlled by public agencies