The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the association for the global business travel industry, hosted its 15th annual Legislative Summit last week. Over 110 GBTA members representing 26 states attended, calling on lawmakers to prohibit the use of voice calls on planes and ensure the Passenger Security Fee goes toward new technologies and trusted traveler programs rather than being diverted to pay down the deficit.
GBTA members outlined the following “top issues” with Congress:
- No Calls on Planes: GBTA continues to disapprove of allowing voice calls on planes as it is disruptive, a potential security threat and should be banned from the time the aircraft door is closed until the flight lands. GBTA believes Congress should enact legislation that sets policy for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and prohibits the use of voice calls on planes.
- Passenger Security Fees: GBTA believes that increasing the passenger security fee to offset the cost of other priorities unrelated to aviation security is bad policy. The answer lies in developing a more efficient risk-based screening system that fully ensures security while eliminating unnecessary travel hassles and expenses—not raising fees on travelers.
The Legislative Summit kicked off with a full day of discussions with top industry insiders, political strategists, administration officials and lawmakers on key travel issues including FAA Reauthorization, passenger rights, ATC reform, PFCs, biometric exit, TSA PreCheck and REAL ID.
Speakers included Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); John Wagner, Customs and Border Protection; Holly Woodruff Lyons, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Winsome Lenfert, FAA; Steve Yonkers, Department of Homeland Security; and Simone Davis, TSA.
“Given the importance of business travel as a critical economic driver, we need lawmakers to adopt policies that support our business travelers and help our industry grow,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. “I’m pleased to see so many of our members flying in to D.C. to advocate for our industry."
