Airport Improvement Fee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An Airport Improvement Fee or Embarkation Fee or Airport Tax or Service charge or Service fee is an additional fee charged from departing and connecting passengers at an airport. It is levied by government or an airport management corporation and the proceeds are usually intended for funding of major airport improvements or expansion or airport service.

In the United States, the federal Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program allows the collection of PFC fees up to $4.50 for every enplaned passenger at commercial airports controlled by public agencies. Airports use these fees to fund FAA-approved projects that enhance safety, security, or capacity; reduce noise; or increase air carrier competition. Federal law limits use of PFC funds strictly to the above categories.[1]

The Airport Improvement Fee can be charged from passengers at the point of embarkation, often creating difficulties for departing passengers who have already exchanged all their local currency. Therefore many airports now include these charges in the price of an airline ticket. The amount varies usually between US$10 and US$30. In some instances, the fee continues to be charged long after construction has been completed (i.e. Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport).

Airports currently collecting an explicit airport improvement fee include:

Here is an example letter distributed by the Auckland International Airport Limited: Media:Donhuseletter.jpg.


  1. ^ http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/pfc/