The ACTE is opposed to plans by the Obama administration to raise airport security fees by an undisclosed amount in 2012.

Passengers currently pay $2.50 per each leg of travel, for a total of $5, which the White House claims only covers 36 percent of airport security costs. According to a statement released today by ACTE's Executive Director Susan Gurley, the administration's approach to funding airport security is disappointing on two levels.

"On the first level, the Obama administration is attempting to fund the lion's share of airport security through a user tax, primarily paid by corporations commissioning business travel, or leisure travelers spending limited personal funds for a vacation. The truth is that air transportation is a national asset vital to the economy. When terrorists or other criminals target an airliner or an airport, they are not attacking an industry nor a user group – but the nation," said Gurley. "As such, the nation has an obligation to protect itself and this asset. Airport security should be paid for from the general tax fund.

"On the second level, no one knows how long the current economic crisis will last. But I can assure you that many companies will either be just getting back on their feet, or attempting to make up for a year or two of lost financial ground. Slamming them with an undisclosed increase in business travel during this sensitive time is not in anyone's best interest," said Gurley. "Every increase in business travel charges results in another percentage of cancelled trips, which the country cannot afford. This is reflected in job loss at the airlines, hotels, rental car companies, and every travel service supplier."

ACTE's Executive Director says an increase of this type is coming at a time when companies are looking for every reason to cut business travel and reduce the number of corporate meetings. "The Obama administration just gave them one more reason," said Gurley.

Gurley suggested that additional funds for airport security could be derived by scrapping a $400 million proposed allotment to build a new headquarters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plus $200 million to furnish it.

"This is a classic example of why the government has to work closer with the business travel profession in finding viable solutions to funding security and airport infrastructure programs," added Gurley.