Airtran 2010 Annual Report Download - page 22

During 1990, Congress enacted legislation to permit airport authorities, with prior approval from the DOT, to impose
passenger facility charges as a means of funding local airport projects. These charges are collected by the airlines from
their passengers and remitted to the appropriate airport authority and currently range from $3.00 to $4.50 per enplanement
with a maximum of up to $18 per round trip.
Fuel Taxes. We pay federal, state, and other taxes on fuel. We paid approximately $27.5 million, $30.6 million, and $49.4
million in fuel taxes during 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
Security and Safety Measures. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act was enacted in December 2001 and
federalized substantially all aspects of civil aviation security and required, among other things, the creation of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to oversee all aviation security and the implementation of certain security
measures by airlines and airports, such as the requirement that all passenger bags be screened for explosives. Funding for
airline and airport security under the law is partially provided by a security ticket tax, that is currently $2.50 per enplaned
passenger, with a maximum of up to $5.00 each way or $10.00 per round trip, and has been imposed since February 2002,
the date the TSA began taking responsibility for airport security. The TSA was granted authority to impose additional fees
on air carriers if necessary to cover additional federal aviation security costs. Pursuant to its authority, the TSA may revise
the way it assesses this fee, which could result in increased costs for passengers and/or us. We cannot forecast what
additional security and safety requirements may be imposed in the future or the costs or revenue impact that would be
associated with complying with such requirements.
Miscellaneous. All air carriers are subject to certain provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, because
of their extensive use of radio and other communication facilities, and are required to obtain an aeronautical radio license
from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To the extent we are subject to FCC requirements, we have taken
and will continue to take all necessary steps to comply with those requirements.
Our labor relations are covered under Title II of the Railway Labor Act of 1926, as amended, and are subject to the
jurisdiction of the National Mediation Board. During a period of past fuel scarcity, air carrier access to jet fuel was subject
to allocation regulations promulgated by the Department of Energy. We are also subject to state and local laws and
regulations at locations where we operate and the regulations of various local authorities that operate the airports we
serve. Our operations may become subject to additional federal regulatory requirements in the future.
All international service is subject to the regulatory requirements of the appropriate authorities of the foreign countries
involved. To the extent we seek to provide additional international air transportation in the future, we will be required to
obtain necessary authority from the DOT and the applicable foreign government or governments.
Environmental Regulations. The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA) generally recognizes the rights of
airport operators with noise problems to implement local noise abatement programs so long as such programs do not
interfere unreasonably with interstate or foreign commerce or the national air transportation system. The ANCA generally
requires FAA approval of local noise restrictions on Stage 3 aircraft. While we have had sufficient scheduling flexibility
to accommodate local noise restrictions imposed to date, our operations could be adversely affected if locally-imposed
regulations become more restrictive or widespread.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates operations, including air carrier operations, which affect the
quality of air in the United States. We believe the aircraft in our fleet meet all emission standards issued by the EPA. We
may become subject to additional taxes or requirements to obtain permits for green house gas emissions. See ITEM 1A -
“RISK FACTORS.”
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