JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If your 2014 vacation plans include air travel, get ready, because you may have to shell out some extra money.
Taxes on air travel will double next year if lawmakers pass a proposal intended to offset aviation security expenses and automatic spending cuts, set to begin in January.
The Transportation Security Administration fee is something you pay as part of your regular airfare, but under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which stands to eliminate $65 billion in domestic and defense cuts, the deal would include an increase that doubles the current fee from $2.50 to $5.00.
The new fee does not include an increase for connecting flights.
It's a proposal that doesn't appear to change travelers level of security, which doesn't sit well with trade organizations like "Airlines for America," which told Channel 4:
"Airlines and our customers are already overtaxed, and we are disappointed that fees on air travel were increased, and believe those higher taxes will impact demand, jobs and our economy."
Government officials said the higher fee will allow the TSA to offset approximately 43 percent of its security costs and eliminate the fee it currently charges airlines.
"I don't really care too much it's a minor piece because I'm usually paying $500 to $800 a flight anyway. An extra 3 or 4 bucks isn't really going to make that much of a difference from my side," said traveler James Wiggins.
"If I have to fly somewhere or if I really want to go somewhere, I'm going to go regardless. I'm going to find a way, but I think that's why they get away with it the way they do," said traveler Krystal Frase.
If this proposal passes, the new, higher fees would go into effect on July 1, 2014.