DOT IMPOSES SEPT. 11 SECURITY FEE

DOT IMPOSES SEPT. 11 SECURITY FEE    The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an interim final rule that imposes a $2.50 fee on each air carrier passenger emplanement in order to help pay for the Federal government’s costs of providing aviation security services.
   “Both the Administration and Congress are committed to making significant improvements in aviation security,” said U.S. Transportation secretary Norman Mineta. “The funds raised through this Sept. 11 Security Fee will be used to implement new aviation security measures to help achieve this important goal.”
   Under this rule, domestic and foreign direct air carriers will be responsible for collecting the fees for emplanements from U.S. airports beginning Feb. 1, 2002, and transmitting them to DOT’s new Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
   According to the DOT budget office, approximately $900 million will be raised from this fee in fiscal year 2002. The funds will help pay for passenger and baggage screeners, security managers and law enforcement personnel at airports, as well as other aviation security efforts, such as the purchase of explosive detection systems.
   The Sept. 11 Security Fee was authorized in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which was signed into law by President Bush on Nov. 19, 2001.