Rockefeller-Lott bill seeks to lighten burden on airlines

The Hill, 5/2/7

Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.) have crafted a bill that would dramatically change the system for funding the air traffic control system by shifting more of the burden from commercial airlines to general aviation.

Sources familiar with the measure being prepared by staff on a Senate aviation subcommittee chaired by Rockefeller said it would phase out a 4.3 cent per gallon fuel tax paid by commercial airlines. One industry source estimated this could save airlines about $500 million annually.