FAA WANTS OVERFLIGHT FEES AGAIN

FAA WANTS OVERFLIGHT FEES AGAIN    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued a rule that will require non-U.S airlines flying over U.S. airspace to pay fees for the air traffic control services they receive, beginning Aug. 1.
   The fees will be based on the distance flown through U.S.-controlled air space. Overflights will be charged at the rate of $37.43 per 100 nautical miles overland, and $20.16 per 100 nautical miles over the ocean.
   Lawmakers gave the FAA authority to charge overflight fees in the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996. However, in 1998, a federal court ruled that the FAA could not impose overflight fees because it had no measure for the costs to provide its services. U.S. law dictates that governmental agencies base any fees on actual costs.
   The FAA has based its new overflight fees on costs calculated by the agency’s recently developed cost accounting system.
   The FAA will bill users monthly. Airlines have been requested to designate and submit to the FAA the name and address of a U.S. agent for billing.
   The FAA will hold a meeting June 29 to hear comments accept written public comment until Oct. 4. A final rule will then be issued.